Aegis Selects NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray to Help Combat Opioid Epidemic, Increasing Access to Life-saving Treatment in LA County

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aegis, the largest outpatient treatment center in California for patients suffering from opioid and heroin addiction, today announced efforts to increase access to Adapt Pharma's NARCAN^® (naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray 4mg in Los Angeles County.

Patients suffering from opioid addiction who are entering treatment at Aegis will receive a free dose of NARCAN^® Nasal Spray, the only FDA-approved, needle-free formulation of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. This NARCAN^® distribution is funded via Drug Medi-Cal through the Organized Delivery System (ODS) Waiver. Los Angeles County went live with the ODS waiver on July 1, 2017, opening up accessibility to medications geared towards treating opioid addiction and overdose.

"In 2016, one American died every 13 minutes from an opioid overdose. Recovery begins when people struggling with opioid use disorder are given another chance at life, and naloxone provides that bridge to treatment," said Dr. Lyn Raible, Chief Medical Officer at Aegis who oversees 32 treatment centers. "We are very excited to launch this program in Los Angeles County and look forward to applying what we learn here to counties throughout the state."

Aegis previously stocked NARCAN^® as a preventative measure, but this waiver enables the clinic to distribute the life-saving treatment openly to all patients. This announcement aligns with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's recommendations on opioid overdose prevention and builds on California's steady commitment to improving statewide opioid safety. Hospitals in California treat an opioid overdose every 45 minutes.¹ Opioids were linked to 1,925 overdose deaths last year, according to state data released by the California Department of Public Health.²

"Patients seek treatment at Aegis to change their lives," said Leya Worcester, LCSW, Regional Clinic Manager for LA County at Aegis. "The NARCAN Distribution Project has empowered them with more knowledge about their addiction and overdose prevention, as well as given patients opportunities to share their recovery stories in a safe, supportive environment."

"We commend Aegis on creating this best-in-class treatment model that takes actionable steps to save lives," said Mike Kelly, President of U.S. Operations at Adapt Pharma. "Implementing programs like this are critical in educating patients and their supporting loved ones about the critical importance of being prepared with NARCAN^® Nasal Spray."

There is a strong correlation between opioid overdose deaths and availability of treatment. Take-home naloxone provided to patients enrolled in an outpatient program can increase the number of opioid overdose reversals, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Eighty-seven percent of the community members reversed with naloxone were friends or relatives of the study participants.³

NARCAN^® Nasal Spray does not take the place of emergency medical care and the patient should be kept under continued surveillance until emergency medical assistance arrives. Ask your doctor or speak with your pharmacist to learn how loved ones can be protected by having access to NARCAN^® Nasal Spray.

ABOUT AEGIS
Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC is the largest network of Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTPs) in California, operating 32 clinics in 14 counties throughout the state and serving nearly 10,000 patients per day. Aegis uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients that are dependent on opioids, such as heroin and prescription medications used to treat pain. For the past 20 years, Aegis has pursued a proactive agenda geared towards raising clinical standards, regulatory compliance and improved patient success rates. The "Aegis Model" combines medical treatment with counseling (both individual and group), case management and referral services, resulting in unprecedented clinical success rates. Aegis is the leader in the treatment of opiate addiction.

¹ California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Inpatient Discharge Data. EpiCenter – California Injury Database Online. California Department of Public Health. http://epicenter.cdph.ca.gov/ReportMenus/AlcoholDrugTable.aspx. Accessed January, 2018.

² California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. California Department of Public Health. https://pdop.shinyapps.io/ODdash_v1/. Published September 2017. Accessed January, 2018.

³ Katzman JG, Takeda MY, Bhatt SR, et al. An innovative model for naloxone use within an OTP setting: a prospective cohort study. J Addic Med. [Published online ahead of print December 7, 2017]. DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000374.

SOURCE Aegis Treatment Centers, LLC