Overdose Antidote Can Be Dispensed Without Prescription

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland health officials have issued an order allowing pharmacists to dispense a heroin overdose antidote without a prescription.

Officials said Monday that the order is intended to help combat the state's heroin and opioid abuse epidemic.

The antidote, Naloxone, is a prescription medication that can reverse overdoses related to opioids, which include heroin and prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

The order allows Maryland-licensed pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription to anyone trained and certified under the state's Overdose Response Program, which provides training on opioid overdose response and naloxone administration.

Certificate holders still must pay for the naloxone.

The order also allows healthcare providers to prescribe naloxone to patients who they believe might be in a position to assist someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

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