In the ongoing fight against opioid overdose, individual twin-packs of CalRx-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone HCL 4 mg nasal spray are now available to all Californians at a price of $24 per carton – almost half the standard market price. Previously offered only to government entities and businesses in packs of 24, this new direct-to-consumer program expands individual access to this life-saving overdose reversal medication. By making naloxone more affordable and accessible, California is empowering communities to save lives.
Governor Gavin Newsom said, “Life-saving medications shouldn’t come with a life-altering price tag. CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all — not the privileged few. California is using our market power as the fifth largest economy in the world to disrupt a billion-dollar industry to save lives … and we’re just getting started.”
Naloxone, a medication that blocks the effects of opioids, can quickly reverse an overdose, giving individuals crucial time to receive medical help. By offering this life-saving medication at a fixed, affordable price, CalRx is improving public health through accessible, essential medications.
Anyone residing in California can now visit the CalRx website to purchase an individual twin-pack of naloxone HCL 4 mg nasal spray for $24, plus tax and shipping fees. This price makes the CalRx offering among the most cost-competitive options currently available.
The launch of CalRx-branded naloxone in May 2024 was more than just an expansion of access to a single medication — it represented a larger shift in how California is reshaping the pharmaceutical market to prioritize affordability, transparency, and public health.
By leveraging state purchasing power and strategic partnerships, CalRx is establishing a new standard for making essential medications more accessible at lower, more predictable prices. For more information on opioids and how you can protect yourself and loved ones, visit Opioids.CA.GOV, a one-stop shop for Californians seeking resources around prevention and treatment.
For the first time in California, data through June 2024 showed a decline in synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths, from drugs such as fentanyl and tramadol. This had reversed a trend of increased synthetic opioid-related death in the state from 2018 through June 2023. The overdose crisis remains complex and is constantly evolving due to a variety of factors. Year-to-year changes cannot be credited to any one cause, but it appears as through the comprehensive effort is making a difference, as the state continues to address opioid trafficking, prevent overdoses, support those with opioid use disorder, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids.
Online ordering: California residents and businesses can order CalRx Naloxone HCL 4 mg nasal spray for $24 per box by visiting the CalRx Get Naloxone website.
Naloxone Distribution Project: Eligible organizations may qualify for free CalRx Naloxone HCL 4 mg nasal spray through the Department of Health Care Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP). For more information, visit the NDP website.
