Three pharmacies have signed up to a voluntary program to offer Naloxone kits in Grande Prairie. 100 pharmacies across the province have signed up to offer the kits that are used to reverse Fentanyl overdoses. Canada Safeway Pharmacy on 114th Ave, London Drugs and Shamrock Pharmacy in the Coop Centre will offer the supplies free of charge with a prescription. The kits includes two units of Naloxone, two syringes, two alcohol swabs, two latex gloves, a one-way breathing mask and instructions.
Along with the three pharmacies, HIV North and Northern Addictions centre already provide the lifesaving package. The take-home supplies are kept in homes where Opioid users can keep them for emergencies. They are used to reverse an overdose of fentanyl or Opioid which gives the person time to contact emergency medical help.
Alberta Health Services is providing the kits for a cost of $27 each which includes the distribution and supplies. There are around 1,100 pharmacies in the province that are able to provide the kits to people if they choose to volunteer.
Last year there were around 272 deaths due to overdose in the province which was up from the year before.
