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 This Standing Order makes a drug that is able to
reverse the effects of an opioid overdose more readily available to
first responders and the community.
“We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of people in
Illinois dying due to opioid overdoses,” said Director Shah. “By
making it easier to obtain, distribute, and administer the opioid
overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly called Narcan, we can help
save the lives of some of the 1,900 estimated annual opioid overdose
deaths.”
In September 2015, Illinois enacted Public Act 99-0480 (Act),
expanding access to naloxone, which can be used to reverse opioid
overdoses, including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and certain
prescription pain medications. The law authorizes trained
pharmacists and first responders to dispense naloxone. However, a
prescription is needed to dispense naloxone.
The Standing Order acts as that prescription and
authorizes pharmacies, pharmacists, and opioid overdose education
and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs to obtain and/or
distribute naloxone.
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Non-pharmacy OEND programs may include law enforcement agencies,
drug treatment programs, local health departments, hospitals or urgent care
facilities, or other community-based organizations.
The Naloxone Standardized Procedure outlines how entities may become authorized
to obtain, dispense, and administer naloxone. It also includes the educational
requirements for obtaining a Standing Order, and for administering naloxone.
The Standing Order fulfills one of the duties assigned to IDPH under Governor
Bruce Rauner’s Executive Order 2017-05. For more information about the Standing
Order and the recently released State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan, log onto
http://dph.illinois.gov/naloxone.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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