ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced independent pharmacies across the state will now be able to provide naloxone to their customers without a prescription.
Improved accessibility to the medication is one of the priorities at the center of the Governor’s fight to end opioid abuse in New York State.
“Heroin addiction has taken the lives of far too many New Yorkers, but today we are taking an important step forward in battling this epidemic,” Governor Cuomo said. “By making this lifesaving medication available in drugstores without a prescription, we are continuing to prevent needless tragedies from occurring and ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to this critical medication.”
In January, the Health Department approved more than 480 CVS pharmacies throughout the State as registered opioid overdose programs, enabling their pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription. Earlier this month, the Department took a similar action for Walgreens for more than 460 Walgreens and Duane Read pharmacies statewide.
“Making naloxone available in both chain and independent pharmacies ensures that this life-saving medication is widely accessible throughout New York’s communities,” said State Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker.
Governor Cuomo signed legislation last year to combat opioid abuse. One element of that legislation was strengthening the State’s opioid overdose initiative. Through that initiative, which started in 2006, more than 100,000 community members and public safety personnel have been trained to recognize opioid overdoses, and to respond by administering naloxone and calling 911. Through their efforts, more than 3,000 lives have been saved since the inception of the program in 2006, with over 1,500 in 2015 alone.
Although traditionally administered by emergency medical services or hospital personnel, naloxone can be administered by laypeople with minimal training. Pharmacists are now able to provide this training in addition to dispensing the naloxone to their customers. All individuals who are given naloxone must still go to the hospital with EMS personnel.