A major pharmaceutical company is donating 1,744 devices that contain an overdose-reversing drug to Alabama’s volunteer rescue squads to combat the opioid crisis.

Kaleo Inc. announced the donation of 872 boxes, which include two devices, to the state’s rescue vehicles at a press conference at the Alabama State Capitol Wednesday. The Evzio device auto-injects the life-saving drug naloxone and contains a recording that talks a non-medical professional through administering it.

Republican state Sen. Gerald Dial said the donation to Alabama will last three years. Kaleo Vice President of Corporate Affairs Mark Herzog didn’t commit Wednesday to extending it.

Kaleo came under fire for raising the price of the device from $690 to $4,500 in 2015. Last month the company said it would sell the drug for $360 to government agencies.

(Associated Press, copyright 2018)