BENTONVILLE, Ark. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Walmart Inc. announced Monday that the company will introduce new policies to restrict opioid prescriptions at all Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies.
The company said in a press release that the new policies are aimed at curbing opioid misuse and abuse.
Within the next 60 days, Walmart and Sam’s Club will restrict initial acute opioid prescriptions to no more than a seven-day supply, with up to a 50 morphine milligram equivalent maximum per day.
Walmart says this policy is in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for opioid use. Where state law for fills on new acute opioid prescriptions is less than seven days, Walmart and Sam’s Club will follow state law.
Additionally, as of Jan. 1, 2020, Walmart and Sam’s Club will require e-prescriptions for controlled substances. The company claims E-prescriptions are proven to be less prone to errors because they cannot be altered or copied and are electronically traceable.
Earlier this year, Walmart announced it would offer a free opioid disposal solution, DisposeRx, in all pharmacies nationwide.
“We are taking action in the fight against the nation’s opioid epidemic,” Marybeth Hays, executive vice president of Health & Wellness and Consumables, Walmart U.S. said in a press release. “We are proud to implement these policies and initiatives as we work to create solutions that address this critical issue facing the patients and communities we serve.”
More details about the new policies can be found on Walmart’s website.