(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a rebate agreement that has saved agencies thousands of dollars on the cost of the opioid reversal medication naloxone is being extended for one year.
The renewed agreement with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will allow non-federal public entities in Ohio to continue receiving a $6 rebate for each Amphastar naloxone syringe purchased until March 2, 2017.
"I'm pleased to secure these valuable rebates for another year," said Attorney General DeWine. "Naloxone saves lives, and I applaud the law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and others who are using it to help combat the opiate epidemic."
So far, nearly 60 Ohio agencies have applied for more than $151,000 in rebates to offset the cost of the life-saving drug. When given to a person overdosing on heroin or a prescription opioid, naloxone can limit or stop the overdose by reversing the effects of the opioid on the brain.
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS, current data available shows naloxone was administered more than 16,000 times in Ohio in 2015.
The agreement initially went into effect in March 2015 after Attorney General DeWine approached the company following a dramatic increase in the price of Amphastar naloxone.
If Amphastar raises its wholesale price of naloxone during the term of the agreement, the company has also agreed to increase the rebate amount.
Non-federal, Ohio government agencies are eligible to receive rebate payments. This includes, but is not limited to, state agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services, county health departments, Project DAWN community programs, and county or local government agencies.
For information on how to apply for the rebates visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/NaloxoneRebate.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840