An Act Regarding the Dispensing of Naloxone Hydrochloride by Pharmacists

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2353, sub-§1, ¶D,  as enacted by PL 2015, c. 508, §1, is amended to read:

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §2353, sub-§2, ¶¶A-1 and C-1,  as enacted by PL 2015, c. 508, §2, are amended to read:

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §13815,  as enacted by PL 2015, c. 508, §5, is amended to read:

§ 13815. Authorization

The board by rule shall establish procedures and standards for authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense naloxone hydrochloride in accordance with Title 22, section 2353. The rules must establish adequate training requirements and protocols for prescribing and dispensing naloxone hydrochloride by when there is no prescription drug order or , standing order or pursuant to a collaborative practice agreement authorizing naloxone hydrochloride to be dispensed to the intended recipient. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. A pharmacist authorized by the board pursuant to this section to prescribe and dispense naloxone hydrochloride may prescribe and dispense naloxone hydrochloride in accordance with Title 22, section 2353.

Sec. 4. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, chapter 117, subchapter 11-A, in the subchapter headnote, the words "dispensing of naloxone hydrochloride" are amended to read "prescribing and dispensing of naloxone hydrochloride" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that a pharmacist may prescribe and dispense naloxone hydrochloride to an individual at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose or to a person in a position to assist such an individual. Current law provides that a pharmacist may dispense naloxone hydrochloride to such an individual or person. The bill also provides that the rules adopted by the Maine Board of Pharmacy authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense naloxone hydrochloride must establish adequate training requirements and protocols for prescribing and dispensing naloxone hydrochloride when there is no prescription drug order, standing order or collaborative practice agreement authorizing naloxone hydrochloride to be dispensed to the intended recipient.