What does a Naloxone Opioid Overdose Kit Bag cost?

Price transparency for hospital, clinic, and public health procurement

Naloxone overdose kit bags range from $35 to $50 per unit for nasal spray kits in retail and public-interest channels, though wholesale pricing and formulation choices create substantial variance. For institutional buyers—hospitals, ASCs, urgent care networks, and public health departments—the landed cost depends on three factors: naloxone formulation (nasal spray vs. injectable vs. auto-injector), kit assembly and case components, and purchase volume/channel. This article documents publicly verifiable pricing as of May 2026 and is updated as MedSource accumulates institutional quotes.

What the typical range is

Narcan nasal spray (4 mg, two-dose) carries a suggested retail price of $44.99 . Public interest pricing for government and nonprofit programs is $41 per two-dose unit . The wholesale price is $125 per kit .

Injectable kits—syringe with atomizer and two vials of naloxone (0.4 mg/mL)—historically cost less. The average cost for a take-home naloxone kit is $35 , though this varies by configuration and case.

In Canada, the approximate cost of a take-home naloxone kit is $35, and generally contains two one-ml single dose ampoules of naloxone (0.4 mg/ml solution) for intramuscular injection, and other kit components such as syringes, needles, gloves, ampoule breakers etc.

The assembled "overdose responder kit" with carrying case, gloves, CPR barrier, and biohazard bag runs $45–$75 depending on case material and included accessories.

What pushes price up — features, certifications, support tier

Formulation choice. Narcan at 4 mg and ReVive at 3 mg (nasal spray) are FDA-approved for layperson use. Kloxxado Nasal Spray packs contain two pre-packaged nasal spray devices, each containing 8 mg of naloxone , positioning it for fentanyl-resistant overdoses—at higher cost.

The cost of the Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray has been reported to be $125 per two doses (i.e. almost 6 times more expensive than the naloxone kits with injectable formulation). Additionally, an auto-injector formulation of naloxone, Evzio is also available in the US, but it is not yet approved in Canada. The cost of the auto-injector formulation is reported to be USD$ 4500 .

Case and kit assembly. Zippered Molded EV Case: Sturdy, lightweight, and equipped with a carabiner for easy portability. Essential Supplies: Includes 2 pairs of large nitrile gloves, a biohazard bag, a CPR barrier shield for safe resuscitation, and a dry towelette for cleanup . Hard cases (polymer/EVA) cost more than nylon or canvas pouches.

Regulatory status. Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription . OTC formulations carry higher list prices than prescription-only alternatives due to labeling and distribution channel economics.

Quantity tier. Bulk orders (10-packs, 100-packs) from distributors typically reduce per-unit cost by 10–20%.

What pushes price down — refurbished, older generation, lease, GPO contracts

Generic naloxone injectables. Naloxone's wholesale, generic cost is around $20.00 for a single dose . Assembling basic kits (two vials + syringes + atomizer + case) in-house costs $25–$35 per unit.

Harm reduction and nonprofit pricing. Most naloxone is currently distributed by government programs and community-based organizations (84%), leveraging bulk purchase agreements, donations, and public interest pricing .

Older formulations phased out. A higher-dose version, Evzio 2 mg (NDA 209862) was approved on October 19, 2016. Both products have since been removed from the market by the Applicant for reasons other than safety or efficacy . Legacy stock, if available via secondary markets, may trade at 30–50% discount.

Federal and state programs. Some states contract directly with manufacturers at public-interest rates, then distribute to hospitals and clinics at cost or modest markup.

Hidden costs — install, training, calibration, consumables, service contracts

Training and staff time. Naloxone kits require minimal training; however, estimated ongoing program cost per kit dispensed, excluding naloxone kit costs, (median $19 per kit for SSPs and $27-$62 per kit for non-SSPs) accounts for education delivery, documentation, inventory management, and staff overhead.

Wall-mount cabinet systems and alarm hardware. Custom made wall mount cabinets for easy and safe access to Naloxone and other medical accessories needed to respond to an opioid overdose emergency in a public setting. Available with alarm and lock or without . Alarmed, lockable cabinets: $300–$800 per unit.

Vending machine access. Purpose-built vending machines for public spaces, they securely dispense items like Naloxone, test strips, and wellness kits while offering flexible access options including free distribution, QR codes, or secure entry . Cost: $3,000–$6,000 per machine plus ongoing restocking.

Shelf-life and replacement cycles. The shelf life of naloxone is generally 12 to 18 months . Plan for annual or semi-annual kit rotation, especially for nasal spray formulations with expiration-date visibility.

Storage and security. Standard medical refrigeration and cabinet locks apply.

How to negotiate — concrete tactics

1. Lock in public interest pricing if your facility qualifies as a governmental entity, hospital system, or 501(c)(3). Narcan nasal spray continues to be available to state and local government programs, community organizations, and first responders at a recently lowered public interest price of $41 per two-dose unit .

2. Benchmark injectable vs. nasal spray TCO. If your EMS or nursing staff can reliably administer injectable naloxone with atomizers, the per-dose cost remains 50–70% lower than branded nasal sprays.

3. Aggregate across departments. Combine ED, urgent care, public health, and workplace orders to reach volume discounts (typically 10+ packs).

4. Request performance guarantee or expiration replacement. Negotiate terms that allow return of expired stock for credit on the next order, offsetting shelf-life waste.

5. Evaluate generic availability. Generic versions of naloxone are expected in stores next year . Monitor FDA generic approvals for cost relief.

6. Explore standing-order pharmacy partnerships. Some hospitals use pharmacy standing orders to dispense naloxone at cost plus a nominal kit assembly fee, deferring physical inventory cost to the pharmacy.

When the price feels off — red flags

Prices above $60 per two-dose nasal spray without justification (e.g., specialty storage, custom labeling) suggest you're not accessing public-interest or competitive wholesale rates. Request manufacturer pricing tiers.

Auto-injector Evzio at $4,500+ per two-pack remains unjustifiable for most institutional settings. The cost of a two-injector kit under the brand name Evzio is $4,000.00. This represents a stunning 680 percent increase from the drug's original price in 2014 . Use only if your clinical protocol explicitly requires auto-injection (e.g., pediatric first-aid programs or personnel unable to administer spray/injection).

Bundled "emergency kits" at $100+ should itemize contents. Verify you are not paying for redundant gloves, barriers, or cases you already stock.

"Closed-network" distributors claiming exclusive pricing. Major wholesalers (McKesson, Cardinal Health, Henry Schein) and manufacturers (Emergent BioSolutions, Harm Reduction Therapeutics) offer direct procurement. Cross-check against published GSA or state contract pricing.

---

Sources

• Emergent BioSolutions. NARCAN® Nasal Spray public interest pricing documentation (2023–2024).
• FDA. Clinical and Regulatory Overview of Naloxone Products (December 2018); Naloxone Approval Letters and Labeling (FDA.gov).
• Harvard Law Petrie-Flom Center. "As Opioid Overdose Numbers Rise, So Does the Cost of Naloxone" (October 2025).
• New York City Department of Health. "Costs of Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution" (PMCNC 9048167, 2022).
• National Governors Association. "Nonprescription Naloxone Availability" (September 2023).
• Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Naloxone Cost Coverage and Take-Home Kit Analysis (2016–2017 data).

Note: This article reflects publicly listed pricing from FDA-approved manufacturers, GPO contracts, and peer-reviewed cost studies. Actual institutional pricing varies by volume, geography, insurance status, and contractual relationships. MedSource will update this article as vendor quotes accumulate. Contact your GPO or pharmacy wholesaler for current negotiated rates specific to your organization.