Vending Machines Are The Latest Tool To Combat Opioid Crisis

Vending Machines Are The Latest Tool To Combat Opioid Crisis

Introduction

In order to combat the opioid crisis, vending machines that were previously used to sell snacks are now being used to offer life-saving medicines.

More and more local governments and localities are providing free access to so-called "harm reduction" products like the overdose-reversing medication naloxone through vending machines.

After U.S. authorities recently allowed Narcan, the top naloxone brand, for sale without a prescription, interest in the strategy is anticipated to increase. This switch enables vending machines, supermarkets, and convenience shops to stock the nasal spray.

One of the businesses that has worked with American towns to put the drug in machines even before the FDA's over-the-counter permission is machine provider Shaffer Distributing, which also distributes arcade games and pinball machines.

The director of vending sales at the Columbus, Ohio-based firm notes that many more things for enhancing public health may be stocked and supplied in this manner.

We customized a standard vending machine to distribute the goods that health agencies, harm-reduction organizations, or other organizations are trying to introduce to the neighborhood. These machines also dispense some first aid supplies and safe sex kits in addition to Narcan nasal spray, fentanyl testing strips, HIV testing kits, and prescription disposal bags.

The harm-reduction community has likely purchased 200 or more machines. The devices have been installed everywhere, including city hall and public libraries. A few have been transported to locations with 24-hour public access, including post offices, college campuses, and sheriff's offices.

The vending machine only offers the customer the chance to approach without being scrutinized or requiring them to have the necessary funds. The vending machines will continue to be popular and in demand, especially now that Narcan is an over-the-counter medication. This is because your neighbor may not want to enter Walgreens and have you in line behind him wondering "OK, why is this guy buying Narcan?" It provides access around-the-clock and perhaps removes the stigma.

The cost of an outdoor naloxone machine ranges from $4,500 to roughly $7,400. The outdoor machine features a compressor that enables it to maintain a safe temperature for the product in the summer even if it is rain-resistant.

In order to combat the opioid crisis, vending machines that were previously used to sell snacks are now being used to offer life-saving medicines.

More and more local governments and localities are providing free access to so-called "harm reduction" products like the overdose-reversing medication naloxone through vending machines.

After U.S. authorities recently allowed Narcan, the top naloxone brand, for sale without a prescription, interest in the strategy is anticipated to increase. This switch enables vending machines, supermarkets, and convenience shops to stock the nasal spray.

One of the businesses that has worked with American towns to put the drug in machines even before the FDA's over-the-counter permission is machine provider Shaffer Distributing, which also distributes arcade games and pinball machines.

The director of vending sales at the Columbus, Ohio-based firm notes that many more things for enhancing public health may be stocked and supplied in this manner.

We customized a standard vending machine to distribute the goods that health agencies, harm-reduction organizations, or other organizations are trying to introduce to the neighborhood. These machines also dispense some first aid supplies and safe sex kits in addition to Narcan nasal spray, fentanyl testing strips, HIV testing kits, and prescription disposal bags.

The harm-reduction community has likely purchased 200 or more machines. The devices have been installed everywhere, including city hall and public libraries. A few have been transported to locations with 24-hour public access, including post offices, college campuses, and sheriff's offices.

The vending machine only offers the customer the chance to approach without being scrutinized or requiring them to have the necessary funds. The vending machines will continue to be popular and in demand, especially now that Narcan is an over-the-counter medication. This is because your neighbor may not want to enter Walgreens and have you in line behind him wondering "OK, why is this guy buying Narcan?" It provides access around-the-clock and perhaps removes the stigma.

The cost of an outdoor naloxone machine ranges from $4,500 to roughly $7,400. The outdoor machine features a compressor that enables it to maintain a safe temperature for the product in the summer even if it is rain-resistant.