California bill would allow pharmacists to dispense overdose remedy without prescription

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assembly Member Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, on Tuesday introduced legislation that would authorize a pharmacist to dispense the narcotic antagonist naloxone hydrochloride without a prescription in California. 

Naloxone is used to treat overdoses of narcotic medications including morphine, codeine and oxycodone and works by reversing the side effects of the narcotic, such as sedation and decreased breathing rate.

If the bill passes, a pharmacist who completes one hour in continuing education on the use of narcotic antagonists will be able to dispense the overdose remedy either as part of an authorized prescriber agreement or under standardized procedures and protocols as determined by the Medical Board of California.