The state’s largest insurer has announced that its customers will not have to pay out of pocket for a lifesaving overdose drug.

In a Tuesday morning press release, insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts said that it would cover the cost of Narcan, or naloxone, for over-the-counter nonprescription use. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for nonprescription used in March of this year.

“Naloxone has become the standard treatment for opioid overdose and making it available more widely is a key strategy in controlling the overdose crisis,” Dr. Sandhya Rao, Blue Cross’ chief medical officer said in the release.

According to the National Institutes for Health, Narcan is a nasal spray delivered drug that can quickly block the effects of opioids on the body. Timely administration of the drug in an emergency situation can be the difference between life and death for overdose patients.

“Waiving out-of-pocket costs for this emergency medication aligns with our commitment to ensuring our members have access to the substance use disorder treatment they need, when they need it – especially critical as opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts continue to rise,” Rao said.

According to information published by the governor’s office, 22,000 Massachusetts residents have died of an overdose in the last decade. In 2022 alone the Bay State saw 2,357 overdose deaths.

Gov. Maura Healey has written to the Biden White House requesting the president order U.S. flags lowered on August 31 in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, her office revealed Tuesday.

“The overdose crisis has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and Massachusetts residents. This loss has been devastating to their families, to their communities, and to our entire state and country. We are truly in mourning,” the Governor said in a statement.