Local News
Narcan available, but no buys at Gundersen
Insurance usually covers $80 cost
It’s been a couple of weeks since Gundersen Health System announced it would allow Narcan purchases behind the counter.
Despite the predicted heavy demand, none has been purchased yet, Gundersen’s Chris Eberlein said.
Eberlein added that most insurance companies will help pay for the $80-per-dose medication. But, if you ask for it, it goes in your record as such, leading some to not seek the help.
The medication is taken nasally to reverse the effects of a drug overdose.
Eberlein also reminded the county heroin task force, Thursday, that Narcan isn’t just for heroin users.
“More people still die of prescription opiate use,” he said. “A lot of those are accidental.
“Dozens of patients a year – a lot of those, elderly – on these medications, they take their dose, they forget they took it, they take it again.”