Good Day Pharmacy Improves Access to Life Saving Drug, Naloxone, in Colorado

    LOVELAND, CO, October 13, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that in 2014, approximately 6.5 million Americans abused or misused a prescription medication, and there were 47,055 drug overdose deaths caused by both prescription and illicit drugs. Independently owned Good Day Pharmacy is doing what it can to impact the national prescription drug and heroin overdose epidemic by improving access to the life-saving drug, naloxone. Naloxone is being provided at all Good Day Pharmacies in Eaton, Fort Collins, Greeley, Johnstown, Longmont, Loveland, and Wellington, Colorado, via a standing order with a Colorado physician. "Patients don't need to worry about getting a prescription to obtain naloxone, which is what makes it so accessible. If a person needs it, they don't have time to go see a doctor first and get a prescription," said Karen Price, Marketing Director at Good Day Pharmacy. "Our commitment is to make a positive impact on the health of the communities we serve, and that is why we've made the decision to offer naloxone at our nine community Good Day Pharmacies and two other pharmacies in Colorado in which we have partial ownership and are the managing partner," said Vicki Einhellig, COO of Good Day Pharmacy.

Naloxone is available as an injectable, and also as a nasal spray. It is used "to reverse life-threatening effects of a known or suspected opiate (narcotic) overdose..... by blocking the effects of opiates and relieving dangerous symptoms caused by high levels of opiates in the blood," (Source: American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, Inc. /MedLine Plus, 2016, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a612022.html).

Since most patients experiencing an overdose are unable to treat themselves, they are encouraged to make family members, caregivers, and people they spend time with aware of the signs of overdose, how to use or administer either form of naloxone, and what to do while waiting for medical help to arrive. 911 should always be called immediately following the administration of either form of naloxone, injectable or nasal spray.

By participating in the plan to make naloxone more accessible, lives will be saved, providing those in need a chance at working toward recovery from addiction.

Good Day Pharmacy is an independent, family-owned company operating under the Health Mart umbrella, and employs over 150 Colorado residents. Its principals are David Lamb, Vicki Einhellig, and Nancy Lamb. Collaboratively, all three owners serve on several organization boards: Rx Plus, Independent Pharmacy Cooperative, Independent Advisory Board, and Long Term Care Network. Good Day also hosts internship programs and student rotations for pharmacy school students and pharmacy technicians. Last year, Good Day Pharmacy celebrated 30 years in business, providing community pharmacies and personal, face-to-face service to Colorado residents.

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