Ohio attorney general secures public-price freeze on opiate reversal drug

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Adapt Pharma will freeze the price it charges to Ohio government bodies for naloxone nasal spray over the next year, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said in a news release.

Ohio is the only state in the country with the price freeze, DeWine said. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.

DeWine met with Adapt Pharma last week to discuss a proposal to offer the drug to Ohio law enforcement, first responders, state and local government agencies, and community-based organizations at a discounted rate for the next year.

The price will apply for one year from Friday to government bodies that buy two doses of the spray for $75, when obtained directly from Adapt Pharma in quantities greater than 48 units. That cost is a 40 percent discount from Adapt Pharma’s wholesale price of $125.

“The cost to purchase naloxone has prevented some agencies from carrying this life saving drug, but I hope that Adapt Pharma’s new price freeze for Ohio will allow more agencies to consider keeping naloxone on hand,” DeWine said.

“I continue to urge law enforcement agencies to carry this drug, because it can mean the difference between life and death for those suffering from addiction,” he said.