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Walmart introduces new opioid prescription policies

In an effort to help curb opioid use and misuse as part of a larger initiative in the United States to combat opioid abuse, Walmart has announced in an official statement two new policies. With the adoption of these policies, discounts from any pharmacy discount service—SingleCare included—will no longer be accepted for an opioid prescription at Walmart and Sam’s Club.

The policies will apply to all Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies and pharmacists within the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The two new policies that will affect those filling an opioid prescription are as follows:

  • Initial acute opioid prescriptions will be restricted to a maximum seven-day supply. Daily doses will be capped at a 50 morphine milligram equivalent per day. Walmart will abide by the governing law in states where prescriptions are restricted to less than seven days. If a patient is in need of a longer-lasting supply, he or she will have to obtain a new prescription from his or her doctor. This policy aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for opioid use.
  • All prescriptions for controlled substances will be required to be submitted electronically as of Jan. 1, 2020. E-prescriptions cannot be altered or copied, are less prone to errors, and can be tracked to ensure the proper steps are taken throughout the prescriptions filling process from start to finish. Handwritten or faxed prescriptions will not be accepted.

Because of these changes, as of Jun. 1, 2018, Walmart is no longer accepting any cash cards for opioid controlled substances. However, SingleCare savings cards are still being accepted for non-opioid controlled substances. Our discounted prices for controlled substances can still be redeemed at any other SingleCare partner pharmacy. Simply search for your prescription and find a partner pharmacy near you.