Lagging action following naloxone access policies

Pennsylvania issued a standing order for the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone in 2015, making it available without a prescription. But years later, many pharmacies are not carrying naloxone or require a prescription for it, according to a new study that surveyed more than 400 pharmacies in Philadelphia. Only one-third of the pharmacies had naloxone nasal spray in stock, and less than two-thirds of those pharmacies said they would provide it without a prescription. Pharmacies in parts of the city with higher rates of overdose deaths were less likely to have naloxone available.