Naloxone Distribution and Overdose Education

Pharmacy-based naloxone programmes were associated with increased co-prescribing, increased kit dispensing, and documented successful opioid overdose reversals. Naloxone services were often free and grant-funded, though some programmes relied on insurance coverage or out-of-pocket payment. In one hospital-based study, 87% of take-home naloxone orders were dispensed, with heroin use being the most common reason for the order. Low pharmacist uptake of naloxone programmes was observed in one study, primarily due to a lack of requisitions and limited harm reduction knowledge. Pharmacists commonly dispensed naloxone and educated patients on overdose prevention across multiple practice settings including community, outpatient, specialty, Veterans Affairs, and hospital pharmacies.