Naloxone now available by mail
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Local organizations will soon be able to provide a reversal drug for opioid overdoses by mail.
On Tuesday, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an updated naloxone standing order that permits community-based organizations to provide naloxone by mail.
Narcan is designed to reverse effects of opioid drugs in overdose cases.
The newest update expands upon the original order issued in 2016, which allowed residents to purchase the drug at pharmacies for those who may need it.
“Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” Levine said. “Since 2018, we have provided free naloxone kits through public events to more than 10,000 Pennsylvanians and first responders have further assisted in getting naloxone into the community.
“However, we know that there are challenges in getting naloxone to people in need, particularly during a global pandemic, and this standing order will work to assist with that. It is important that people know that treatment works, and recovery is possible.”
Currently, Narcan is carried at most pharmacies across the state using public and private insurance, either free of charge or at a low cost.
It is also available through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Centralized Coordinating Entities, free public naloxone giveaways at Pennsylvania Health Centers, colleges and universities and some narcotic treatment providers.
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