Opioid Overdose Prevention

Opioid Overdoes Antidote Now Available Through Pharmacists

In response to the epidemic of opioid abuse, access to a drug that acts as an opioid overdose antidote has been made available through pharmacists and primary care providers. Pursuant to AB 1535 (Bloom) in 2014, pharmacists are authorized to provide naloxone (also known as Narcan) to patients with notification to primary care providers. The Board of Pharmacy released in October 2016 their new protocol for pharmacists furnishing this opioid antidote.

This new protocol is designed to safeguard patient safety and prevent deaths from opioid overdoses. Under the new protocol, pharmacists may furnish naloxone to a recipient who uses opioids or who is in contact with anyone using illicit or prescription opioids. The protocols require patient’s consent to notify patient’s primary care provider of that naloxone was furnished to patient. If a patient does not consent to notification of their primary care provider or patient does not have a primary care provider, the pharmacist must provide a written record of the furnished naloxone drug or device and advise patient to contact appropriate primary care provider.

For more information http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/licensees/naloxone_info.shtml