Walmart and Sam’s Club to restrict opioid fill limit up to seven days
nationwide; require e-prescriptions for opioids by 2020
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- (Business Wire)
Walmart Inc. supports policies and programs aimed at helping curb opioid
abuse and misuse. Earlier this year, the company announced it would
offer a free opioid disposal solution, DisposeRx,
in all pharmacies, nationwide.
In an effort to continue to be part of the solution to our nation’s
opioid epidemic, Walmart is introducing new policies, programs and tools
aimed at curbing opioid misuse and abuse. These initiatives apply to all
Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies and pharmacists in the United States
and Puerto Rico.
“We are taking action in the fight against the nation’s opioid
epidemic,” said Marybeth Hays, executive vice president of Health &
Wellness and Consumables, Walmart U.S. “We are proud to implement these
policies and initiatives as we work to create solutions that address
this critical issue facing the patients and communities we serve.”
Within the next 60 days, Walmart and Sam’s Club will restrict initial
acute opioid prescriptions to no more than a seven-day supply, with
up to a 50 morphine milligram equivalent maximum per day. This policy is
in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
guidelines for opioid use. Where state law for fills on new acute opioid
prescriptions is less than seven days, Walmart and Sam’s Club will
follow state law.
Additionally, as of Jan. 1, 2020, Walmart and Sam’s Club will require
e-prescriptions for controlled substances. E-prescriptions are
proven to be less prone to errors, they cannot be altered or copied and
are electronically trackable.
Further, by the end of August 2018:
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In states that allow access, the company’spharmacists will
have access to and use the controlled substance tracking tool, NarxCare.
NarxCare is a tool that helps pharmacists make dispensing decisions
and provides pharmacists with the real-time interstate visibility that
currently exists.
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Walmart and Sam’s Club are committed to having the opioid reversal
medication naloxone behind the pharmacy counters of its stores and
clubs and dispensing naloxone upon request, where allowed by state
law. As an additional step, the company is reinforcing that its
pharmacists provide naloxone recommendations for patients who
might be at risk for overdose in alignment with CDC guidelines.
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The company will conduct additional training and education on
opioid stewardship for its pharmacists, including a pain
management curriculum.
These steps are in addition to actions the company has taken as part of
the Walmart
Opioid Stewardship Initiative in an effort to be part of the
solution to our nation’s opioid epidemic. Among others, these actions
include:
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Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy patients filling any new Class II
opioid prescription receive a free DisposeRx packet and opioid safety
information brochure when picking up their prescription. DisposeRx
provides a virtually effortless way for patients to destroy leftover
opioids without ever leaving home. Patients with chronic Class II
opioid prescriptions are offered a free DisposeRx packet every six
months. Existing pharmacy patients can request a free DisposeRx packet
at any time.
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The company’s pharmacists counsel patients using the CDC’s guidelines
on pain management, focusing on using the lowest effective dose for
pain management for the shortest time possible.
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The company believes education on prescription drug abuse is a key
part of the solution. Walmart U.S. helps sponsor youth-based
curriculums on the risks associated with prescription drug abuse,
including Prescription for Life with EverFi. These programs are
educational tools that empower students with information and skills to
address the opioid epidemic, should they face it in their community.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and
live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and
through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 270 million customers
and members visit our more than 11,700 stores under 65 banners in 28
countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2018 revenue of
$500.3 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates
worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate
philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about
Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com,
on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180507005860/en/
Contacts:
Walmart Inc.
Media Relations:
Erin Hulliberger, 800-331-0085
news.walmart.com/reporter
Source: Walmart Inc.
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