Naloxone Available for First Responders
During the 2016 Legislation Session Senate File (SF) 2218 & House File (HF) 2460 were passed that provides expanded access to opioid antagonists (Naloxone hydrochloride) to assist in the opioid overdose epidemic. Naloxone hydrochloride (naloxone) is a medication indicated for the reversal of opioid-related overdose. The passing of the SF and HF ensures that naloxone may be readily obtainable by any person (“eligible recipient”) who is:

• An individual at risk of opioid-related overdose,
• A family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of opioid-related overdose, or
• A first responder employed by a service program, law enforcement agency, or fire department.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy (IBP) has revised their rules (IAC 657-8 effective November 3, 2016) to allow the dispensing of naloxone to eligible recipients as described above by a prescription issued by a physician, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant or by a standing order issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services has revised our rules to change the Iowa Emergency Medical Care Provider Scope of Practice (dated June 2016, effective November 16, 2016) to allow Iowa certified EMRs and EMTs who are part of an authorized service program to administer intranasal or auto-inject naloxone if approved by the service program’s medical director.

The IBP has developed a page on their website that provides information, frequently asked questions, and necessary forms covering the prescribing and dispensing of naloxone to eligible recipients by an Iowa pharmacy/pharmacist. The IBP page for naloxone can be accessed at the following link: https://pharmacy.iowa.gov/naloxone-standing-order.

Law enforcement agencies and fire departments not authorized by the Bureau and who wish to obtain and provide naloxone should be directed to the IBP website and local pharmacy/pharmacist. If an authorized service program (transport or non-transport) wishes to obtain either intranasal or auto-inject naloxone for administration by EMRs or EMTs the service program should contact their respective EMS Field Coordinator for assistance with their protocol change.

For questions, please contact the Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services, Division of Acute Disease Prevention, Emergency Response and Environmental Health at the Iowa Department of Public Health, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

Links

• Iowa Naloxone Brochure
• Recipient Eligibility Assessment
• Emergency Adoption After Notice
• Iowa Naloxone Standing Order
• Iowa Scope of Practice (June 2016)