Walmart intends to roll-out newer restrictions on opioid prescriptions in the summertime, while also announcing that they will require e-prescriptions come 2020. This comes in response to the widespread drug epidemic that claims more American lives with each passing year.
"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," revealed the company in a statement. "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."
The retail juggernaut will also require electronic prescriptions for certain controlled substances, which will come into effect by 2020. The company believes this will help the distribution of medication via forged prescriptions. As a result, Walmart will implement new opioid training for its expansive roster of pharmacists.
Marybeth Hays, the executive vice president of Health & Wellness and Consumables at Walmart notes how she and her team "are taking action in the fight against the nation’s opioid epidemic. 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."