On July 15, 2015, Public Act 15-198, An Act Concerning Substance Abuse and Opioid Overdose Prevention, as part of the initiative to combat prescription opioid and heroin abuse, was signed into law. A key component of Public Act 15-198 allows pharmacists, who have been certified, to prescribe naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan®).
- Pharmacists May Continue to Prescribe Naloxone (9/27/2023)
- Complete list of pharmacies with staff certified to prescribe naloxone
The program is the first of its kind in the nation. While pharmacists have always been allowed to dispense naloxone, upon completion of an approved course, they are also able to prescribe naloxone to patients and caregivers in Connecticut. This ability to prescribe places a measure of responsibility on pharmacists, who will be providing the prescription and the product to the person, plus patient information and training on its use. In addition, depending on the individual case, pharmacists will serve as a portal for patients and caregivers into the substance disorder treatment system as needed.
Pharmacists are regarded as a pivotal link in the health care system, with multiple opportunities to interact with patients, families and caregivers. Their front-line status in communities requires that they have every resource available to help people find ongoing addiction treatment if needed. Naloxone is a life-saving drug, but halting the overdose is only the first step to recovery for someone with a substance use disorder.
Approved Programs to Train Pharmacists
- University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy (ACPE #0009-9999-21-017-H03-P)
- Pharmacist Letter (CE Course Number 22-308, Naloxone for Opioid Rescue Therapy; Subscription required)
- Walgreens Connecticut Naloxone Training
Additional Information Can be Found at the Following Websites
- Pharmacist Resources
- Patient/Caregiver Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Prescription Drug Drop Box Program
Additional Resources