Walker signs order allowing pharmacists to dispense Naloxone without prescription

Governor Scott Walker signed a statewide standing order Friday allowing Wisconsin pharmacists to dispense Naloxone, a heroin combating drug, to individuals without a prescription.

Naloxone reverses the effects of a heroin overdose.

The standing order, issued by the Department of Health Services and signed by Governor Walker, makes Naloxone available to patients at risk of an opioid overdose and to people in position to assist a patient at risk for an overdose.

Walker signed the order at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s annual meeting in the Wisconsin Dells.

“Naloxone is safe and effective. Newer ways to administer the drug make it easier to give naloxone in a life-and-death situation,” said Dr. Jon Meiman, Chief Medical Officer for the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health in DHS’ Division of Public Health, who signed the standing order. “Allowing pharmacists to provide naloxone without a prescription can help reduce the number of deaths due to an opioid overdose. “

Opioid overdose deaths have steadily increased over the past 15 years in Wisconsin. In 2014, there were 392 deaths due to prescription drugs in Wisconsin and 266 due to heroin. Since 2009, opioid overdoses have exceeded car crashes as the leading cause of injury deaths in Wisconsin.