In an endeavor to curtail the persistent opioid crisis in Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes has greenlit the latest round of naloxone distribution, a vital part of the lifesaving toolkit against opioid overdoses. According to a recent announcement from the Office of the Attorney General, the state secured a deal with Teva Manufacturing aimed at assuaging the destruction wrought by the epidemic on its residents.
"Every unit of naloxone we distribute can potentially save a life, which underscores the importance of these efforts across our state," Mayes remarked, emphasizing the potential for the drug to avert fatalities, as per the Office of the Attorney General. The approved third-quarter purchase includes 7,000 units of naloxone, which will be shipped out to various Arizona community organizations from late September through November.
Of the total, Arizona HIDTA c/o Arizona Poison Control Center and Coconino County Health Department will each receive a significant sum — 2,500 units — to bolster their emergency response capabilities. Sonoran Prevention Works is on the list for 800 units, with both Apache County Health Services Department and Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, earmarked for 500 and 700 units, respectively.
This effort is part of a settlement agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals, providing Arizona with 27,700 units of naloxone annually for up to decades. Since the beginning of the year, Teva has fulfilled its commitment by shipping 16,500 units of the life-saving drug to the state. Further details on past distributions and the initiative at large can be sourced from the Attorney General's website.
