California partners with New Jersey company Amneal Pharmaceuticals to make generic naloxone opioid overdose reversal drug [Video]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California will soon begin selling its own generic version of Narcan – the drug that can save someone’s life during an opioid overdose – under a deal announced Monday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of his effort to offer less expensive, state-branded options of medication.

The New Jersey-based Amneal Pharmaceuticals will sell naloxone to California for $24 per pack, or about 40% cheaper than the market rate. California plans to give away many of the packs for free to first responders, universities and community organizations through the state’s Naloxone Distribution Project.

But it will also sell some of the packs at the discounted rate to California businesses and local governments – as long as they agree not to mark up the prices and sell it for a profit. The goal is to expand the distribution beyond schools and public health departments and into places including restaurants, entertainment centers …