Opioid antagonists; prescription of opioid antagonists to family members; replacing naloxone with opioid antagonist; sale of naloxone; removing naloxone and replacing it with opioid antagonist; effective date.
Impact
One of the critical provisions of HB 2424 is that it extends Good Samaritan protections to family members administering opioid antagonists and healthcare providers prescribing them in overdose situations. This change is expected to decrease the hesitation of individuals to assist those overdosing, given legal protections against potential liability during such emergencies. Moreover, it ensures that opioid antagonists can be sold without a prescription in pharmacies under supervision, enhancing access to life-saving medications.
Summary
House Bill 2424 aims to amend existing legislation regarding opioid antagonists, specifically transitioning from the term 'naloxone' to 'opioid antagonist' throughout the relevant statutes in Oklahoma. This bill allows healthcare providers to prescribe opioid antagonists to individuals for use on family members who show signs of an opioid overdose. Additionally, it provides important information and instructional requirements for both the prescriber and the individual receiving the prescription.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment surrounding HB 2424 is positive, particularly among those who view the expanded availability of opioid antagonists as crucial in combating the ongoing opioid crisis. There is a shared recognition that easier access to these medications can save lives during opioid overdose incidents. Supporters believe that lowering barriers to obtaining opioid antagonists is a vital component of increasing community health and safety measures concerning substance abuse issues.
Contention
While there is strong support for HB 2424, some concerns have been raised about the implications on prescriptive authority and the safeguards necessary for dispensing medications without prescriptions. Critics may caution against the potential for misuse if not properly monitored. Nevertheless, the strong emphasis on educational components—such as recognizing overdose symptoms and administering opioid antagonists—serves to address these concerns and reinforce the legislative intent to enhance public health responses.
Carry Over
Opioid antagonists; prescription of opioid antagonists to family members; replacing naloxone with opioid antagonist; sale of naloxone; removing naloxone and replacing it with opioid antagonist; effective date.
Opioid antagonists; prescription of opioid antagonists to family members; replacing naloxone with opioid antagonist; sale of naloxone; removing naloxone and replacing it with opioid antagonist; effective date.
Substance abuse services; requiring Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide emergency opioid antagonists and education; requiring Department of Corrections and county jails to provide emergency opioid antagonists to certain persons subject to certain condition. Effective date.
Hospitals; requiring Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to distribute emergency opioid antagonists to hospitals; requiring hospitals to distribute emergency opioid antagonist to certain persons upon discharge except under certain conditions; granting certain immunities. Effective date.
Substance abuse services; directing designation of certain physician to issue statewide standing order for emergency opioid antagonists; specifying duration of standing order. Emergency.
Practice of pharmacy; requiring wholesale distributors to provide for return of certain outdated prescription drugs; requiring prompt full credit to purchaser. Effective date.
Health: pharmaceuticals; distribution of naloxone under the administration of opioid antagonist act to any individual; provide for. Amends title & secs. 103 & 107 of 2019 PA 39 (MCL 15.673 & 15.677) & adds sec. 106.