Maryland Pharmacists Can Dispense Naloxone Without a Prescription
Maryland pharmacists can now dispense naloxone to individuals without a prescription. However, persons obtaining the drug must be trained and certified under the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DHMH) Overdose Response Program.
“We are pleased that pharmacists are a part of the
health care team that will assist in reducing opioid overdoses in Maryland,” Aliyah Horton, CAE, Executive Director of the Maryland Pharmacists Association, said. “MPhA is actively working with DHMH to support outreach and education on this initiative. This is another opportunity for health care professionals to work together to improve patients’ lives.”
According to DHMH, 41 organizations in Maryland are authorized to train individuals and issue certificates; and nearly 13,000 people have been certified by these organizations since the program began in March 2014.