True or false: Pharmacists, not just doctors, in Connecticut are allowed to prescribe naloxone, or Narcan, the drug that can reverse an opioid  overdose.

True. Since late 2015, state law has allowed any pharmacist with the proper training and certification to prescribe and dispense the potentially life-saving drug to any customer who asks for it. About 1,000 pharmacists have received training, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees the program. The agency says 369 pharmacies, including CVS and Rite Aid locations, have a minimum of one pharmacist who can prescribe naloxone.

But The CT Mirror reports that, at least anecdotally, demand has been tepid, in part because of a lack of awareness about the law intended to make opioid antagonists like naloxone, also sold under the brand name Narcan, more readily available to relatives or friends of opioid users at risk of an overdose.

“It is laudable that the state of Connecticut, through legislation, and many pharmacists, through extra training, have made a lifesaving drug more accessible,” says Dr. Craig Allen, Rushford‘s medical director. “However, nationally, with almost twice as many opioid overdose deaths attributable to pharmaceutical opioids than heroin, health care providers who prescribe opioids must take a direct and responsible role.”

The state this year also passed legislation that includes a seven-day limit on opioid prescriptions for the first outpatient prescription for adults (and all minors), requires first responders have received training and are equipped with naloxone and eliminates any civil liability or criminal prosecution for licensed health care professions who administer the drug.

Last year, 723 people died from a drug overdose in Connecticut, a 27 percent increase from the previous year.  Despite a nationwide effort in increase access to naloxone, prescriptions for the drug increased only 14 percent between 2009 and 2015, to 3.2 million from 2.8 million.

“For a patient,,” says Dr. Allen, “the meaning and impact when a prescriber offers naloxone can’t be overstated. Many more naloxone prescriptions would be filled if opioid risks were discussed routinely with health care providers and overdose reversal medication was offered.”

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