Recognizing that costs are increasing everywhere and that the Pennsylvania state government is no exception to feeling the strain, Representative Chad Reichard and I will introduce legislation to ensure that Pennsylvania is able to save taxpayer dollars by pursuing the best price for naloxone.

Currently, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs exclusively purchases name brand Narcan, but generic naloxone has come a long way over the last several years, with products that offer identical efficacy, shelf life, and shipping terms to the name brand product. This is why more than 40 states, including our neighbors in Ohio, New York, Maryland, and West Viriginia, have begun using generic naloxone.
 
Pennsylvania remains one of only a handful of states, as well as the largest state, to continue using solely name brand 4mg naloxone. Over the last few years, Pennsylvania could have saved millions of dollars each year, while providing even more doses to people who need it most, by switching to generic naloxone.
 
During House Appropriations Committee hearings earlier this year, members highlighted the need to consider generic naloxone as a cost saving measure. Accordingly, our legislation will direct the Department of General Services to issue a competitive Request for Proposal for naloxone, for the purpose of distribution to eligible entities engaged in opioid overdose prevention and response efforts in the Commonwealth.

Please join us in cosponsoring this bipartisan legislation to help save more lives while saving Pennsylvania taxpayers more dollars.