Diplomat Dispensing Opioid-Overdose Antidote Naloxone

FLINT, Mich., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), is now dispensing opioid-overdose antidote naloxone to Michigan residents.

Naloxone is available without a prescription at Diplomat's Flint retail pharmacy, G-3320 Beecher Road.

Naloxone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is intended to block or reverse the effects of opioid-related drugs—including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, and loss of consciousness. The medication is often carried by first responders and caregivers of people with heroin addiction.

"Protecting the health and safety of our patients is what we do," said Gary Rice, executive vice president of operations at Diplomat. "We are committed to providing access to lifesaving medication like naloxone in the communities we serve."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a standing order in May to allow pharmacists to generate naloxone prescriptions for eligible people. The order aims to ensure those at risk of overdose or those in a position to assist such a person can quickly obtain naloxone.

For a list of Michigan pharmacies approved to dispense naloxone, visit michigan.gov/mdhhs.

Naloxone should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose.

To learn more about Diplomat, visit diplomat.is.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. These statements are qualified by important risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or indicated by such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, you should review Diplomat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Risk Factors" in Diplomat's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by any applicable laws, Diplomat assumes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date hereof or the earlier date specified herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About Diplomat

Diplomat (NYSE: DPLO) is the nation's largest independent provider of specialty pharmacy services—helping patients and providers in all 50 states. The company offers medication management programs for people with complex chronic diseases and delivers unique solutions for manufacturers, hospitals, payors, providers, and more. Diplomat opened its doors in 1975 as a neighborhood pharmacy with one essential tenet: "Take good care of patients and the rest falls into place." Today, that tradition continues—always focused on improving patient care and clinical adherence. For more information, visit diplomat.is.

CONTACT:
Kali Lucas, Public Relations Specialist
810.768.9580 | press@diplomat.is 

Gary Rice, RPh, MS, MBA, CSP
Executive Vice President of Operations
810.768.9863 | grice@diplomat.is

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SOURCE Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.