The bill amends existing legislation concerning the distribution of opioid antidotes, specifically clarifying that any person or entity is authorized to distribute these antidotes. It emphasizes that a standing order issued by the Commissioner of Health (or the Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services) will allow for the distribution of any opioid antidote that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, any state-approved program for the distribution of opioid antidotes will also be permitted to distribute FDA-approved antidotes.
The bill also includes provisions that protect prescribers, pharmacists, and recipients from criminal or civil liability when they prescribe, dispense, administer, or distribute opioid antidotes in good faith. It deletes several sections from the previous law that may have restricted the distribution of these antidotes, thereby broadening the scope of who can receive and distribute them. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to opioid antidotes in order to combat opioid overdoses effectively.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 24:6J-4