Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that he has signed an agreement with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer of naloxone, where the drug manufacturer has agreed to continue to provide a $6 rebate for each Amphastar naloxone syringe purchased by non-federal government agencies through September 30, 2018.
Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal drug. When administered, naloxone can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.
Entities eligible for the rebate include, but are not limited to, state agencies, municipal governments, state and municipal law enforcement agencies, emergency medical service agencies, and nonprofit community-based programs. As part of the agreement, the Rhode Island Attorney General has agreed to process all of the rebate requests.
Attorney General Kilmartin encouraged eligible agencies to take advantage of the rebate when purchasing naloxone, even in small amounts. "Unfortunately, participation in the rebate program has been less than I'd hoped, and it's certainly not because the need for naloxone has declined. If anything, we have seen an expansion in the number of places that now have naloxone on hand in the case of an overdose. We've made it very simple to apply for the rebate, and every little bit helps to offset the costs of this life-saving drug."
As part of the agreement, the Rhode Island Attorney General has agreed to process all of the rebate requests. The rebate form and instructions can be found on www.riag.ri.gov.