Opposing view: Affordable access is our company’s priority

After watching patients in need struggle to get access to naloxone, we made a commitment, starting in 2016, to make EVZIO® available for $0 out of pocket for all patients with commercial insurance and a prescription, as well as for uninsured patients who have a household income of less than $100,000. For those who pay cash, the price is $180 per auto-injector, which comes in a box of two for $360.

To be clear, no patient has to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for EVZIO. Because of our commitment, no naloxone product, branded or even generic, is less expensive out-of-pocket for patients than EVZIO.

While there are multiple forms of naloxone intended for bulk purchase by government agencies and non-profits, EVZIO is a naloxone auto-injector intended for prescription by a health care practitioner to a patient or family member. It is the first and only intelligent naloxone auto-injector with voice and visual guidance and was designed and FDA-approved for the emergency treat- ment of opioid overdose for use by individuals without medical training. EVZIO is not a substitute for emergency medical care.

While EVZIO is intended for prescription, we recognize that the scope of this crisis demands multiple ways to get naloxone into the community for those in need. To that end, kaléo has donated more than 325,000 EVZIO auto-injectors to public health departments, first responders and qualifying non-profits.

Kaléo has received voluntary reports from grantees that donated EVZIO has helped save the lives of more than 5,400 people. That is nearly 30 lives reported saved per week since the program started in 2014.

At kaléo, our priority is ensuring that patients with a prescription who need access to take-home naloxone can get it and afford it. We will continue to work with all stakeholders, government and private, to help increase access to this potentially lifesaving medication.

Spencer Williamson is president and CEO of kaléo.