Colorado Laws

Naloxone Overdose Prevention Laws

Question:

How are pharmacists allowed to dispense or distribute naloxone without a patient-specific prescription from another medical professional?

Answer:
  • Standing order
  • Pharmacist prescriptive authority
This answer is derived from 4 section of law
Citation:
  • citation 1: see full citation
    (1)(a) A prescriber may prescribe or dispense, directly or in accordance with standing orders and protocols, an opiate antagonist to:(I) An individual at risk of experiencing an opiate-related drug overdose event;(II) A family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist an individual at risk of experiencing an opiate-related drug overdose event;(III) An employee or volunteer of a harm reduction organization; or(IV) A law enforcement agency or first responder; (V) A school district, school, or employee or agent of a school; (VI) A person described in section 25-20.5-1001; or(VII) A unit of local government. see full law
  • citation 2: see full citation
    (3) A pharmacist may prescribe and dispense an opiate antagonist in accordance with section 12-30-110. see full law
  • citation 3: see full citation
    3.00.22 The prescribing or dispensing of an opiate antagonist, as described in Rule 3.00.21, by a pharmacist shall not constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to section12-42.5-126, C.R.S., if he or she prescribed or dispensed the opiate antagonist in good faith pursuant to an order or standing orders and protocols issued to or for the following: see full law
  • citation 4: see full citation
    (h) “Prescriber” means:(I) A physician or physician assistant licensed pursuant to article 240 of this title 12(II) An advanced practice nurse, as defined in section 12–255–104(1), with prescriptive authority pursuant to section 12–255–112; or(III) A pharmacist. see full law