Naloxone Now Available Without A Prescription in Ontario Pharmacies

Following a decision by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities' (NAPRA), Ontario is making naloxone available in pharmacies across the province without a prescription and at no cost to eligible Ontarians to help reduce opioid overdoses across the province.  On June 24, 2016, NAPRA reclassified naloxone as a Schedule II drug when used in an emergency opioid overdose situation outside of hospital settings. This change was effective immediately in Ontario. As a result, naloxone can now be kept behind the counter in Ontario pharmacies and the province's pharmacists can now provide training on how to safely administer the drug. People at risk of an overdose (or their concerned family members or peers) will not need a prescription and will not pay anything when receiving naloxone. The province recognizes that opioid addiction and overdose is a serious public health concern. An overdose of opioid drugs - such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin, methadone or oxycodone - can cause a person's breathing to slow or stop. Naloxone is an injectable medication that can reverse this effect so the person can breathe more normally and potentially regain consciousness. This provides precious time to seek emergency medical attention to treat the overdose. Last year, Ontario joined other provinces and territories in calling for Health Canada to remove the prescription status of naloxone. Previously, naloxone was available only by prescription or through the Ontario Naloxone P...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: News Patient Care Source Type: news