California to cap price of overdose reversal medication at $24, Gavin Newsom says
Californians can now purchase over-the-counter naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing medication, for $24 a carton, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information last year announced that it had contracted with Amneal Pharmaceuticals to buy naxolone at the same price point.
Qualifying organizations like first responders, universities and community groups can access the drug for free via the Department of Health Care Services’ Naxolone Distribution Project. The drug comes in a nasal spray that is often referred to by the brand name Narcan.
Newsom said Monday that the state will begin allowing residents to buy the overdose-reserving nasal spray via the CalRx website.
“CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all — not just the privileged few,” he said in a statement.
Drug overdoses have plagued California, as fentanyl — a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than heroin — is often mixed in with other illicit street drugs.
President Donald Trump has blamed Mexico, Canada and China for failing to crack down on the outflow of drugs from their borders and levied hefty tariffs in retaliation. Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have sued to stop the tariffs.
This story was originally published April 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
