Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing — United States, 2012–2018 | MMWR

Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing — United States, 2012–2018 | MMWR

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Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing — United States, 2012–2018 Gery P. Guy, Jr., PhD; Tamara M. Haegerich, PhD; Mary E. Evans, MD; et al.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Naloxone distribution is an important component of the public health response  to the opioid overdose epidemic. The number of naloxone prescriptions  dispensed from retail pharmacies increased substantially from 2012 to 2018,  including a 106% increase from 2017 to 2018 alone.