AmeriHealth Caritas Donates $50,000 to Help Reverse Opioid Overdoses Across Pennsylvania

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Drug Week -- AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, is lending its financial support to help police save lives in Pennsylvania. As part of its broader strategy to address social indicators that impact health - such as homelessness, community development, and disease and violence prevention - the managed care organization made a $50,000 donation to the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute (PDAI), the training affiliate of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA). The donation will be used to reimburse counties in acquiring a treatment used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose (see also AmeriHealth Caritas).

Funds will go toward the purchase of an estimated 1,300 units of 4 mg doses of naloxone. The nasal spray counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose and was developed for first responders, as well as family, friends, and caregivers. AmeriHealth Caritas made a $50,000 donation to PDAI in 2015 for the purchase of naloxone for police departments in several counties, including Delaware, York, Bucks, Erie, Berks, and Beaver. According to PDAI, as many as 545 recorded lives may have been saved through this donation.

"We are in the midst of an opioid and substance abuse epidemic that is devastating families in Pennsylvania and across the United States," said AmeriHealth Caritas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul A. Tufano. "As part of our commitment to address opioid use disorders, our goal is to work with organizations like the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute to expand access to critical tools like naloxone, seeking to save as many lives as possible."

"Pennsylvania police officers have saved thousands of lives by administering naloxone to overdose victims," said PDAA President and Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams. "AmeriHealth Caritas has played a crucial role by providing a significant portion of the funding used to provide the naloxone to police officers across the Commonwealth. Our members appreciate AmeriHealth Caritas' commitment to this important public health and safety initiative."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nation is currently experiencing its worst drug overdose epidemic in American history, as overdose deaths from prescription opioids have quadrupled nationwide since 1999. About AmeriHealth Caritas AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation's leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 17 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 5.7 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170814005802/en/

Keywords for this news article include: Antidotes, Naloxone, Legal Issues, AmeriHealth Caritas, Drugs and Therapies.

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