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

Weekly / August 9, 2019 / 68(31);679–686

On August 6, 2019, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release.

Gery P. Guy Jr., PhD1; Tamara M. Haegerich, PhD1; Mary E. Evans, MD1; Jan L. Losby, PhD1; Randall Young, MA2; Christopher M. Jones, PharmD, DrPH3 (View author affiliations)

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

In 2017, 47,600 persons died from drug overdoses involving opioids. Naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of opioids, can help prevent overdose deaths.

What is added by this report?

Naloxone dispensing from retail pharmacies increased from 2012 to 2018, with substantial increases in recent years. Despite increases, in 2018, only one naloxone prescription was dispensed for every 69 high-dose opioid prescriptions. The lowest rates of naloxone dispensing were observed in the most rural counties.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Additional efforts are needed to improve naloxone access at the local level, including prescribing and pharmacy dispensing. Distribution of naloxone is a critical component of the public health response to the opioid overdose epidemic.