The legislatures of both Pennsylvania and New York have implemented standing orders for Naloxone. Standing orders for pharmaceuticals are orders by a physician licensed to prescribe drugs to extend that power to other health-care workers. For statewide orders, the physician is the state’s Physician General and the power is extended to pharmacists.

Naloxone is a drug that counteracts the effects of opioid overdoses and saves lives. The general order means that if you, your friends, or your family are at risk of overdose, you can provide yourself with the means to save them without making a doctor’s appointment or obtaining a personal prescription. Note, however, that the orders do not provide a means to pay for the Naloxone, and the orders strongly recommend that you receive training as to how to use it.

The terms of the standing orders differ somewhat between the two states; the table on the right provides basic information.

New York 

Voluntary standing order for participating pharmacies.
Local participating pharmacies are:

• Delaware Rite Aid 119 West Main St., Hancock, 607/ 637-2887
• Orange Rite Aid 76 Pike St., Port Jervis, 845/856-8342
• Rite Aid 1934 State Rte. 52, Liberty, 845/292-4114
• Sullivan K & K Pharmacy 187 Mill St., Liberty, 845/292-3430
• Sullivan Pharmacy 267 North Main St., Liberty, 845/295-5456
• Sullivan Rite Aid 381 Broadway, Monticello, 845/791-1301
• Sullivan Walmart Pharmacy 41 Anawana Lake Rd., Monticello, 845/796-7200
• Sullivan Rock Hill Pharmacy 253 Rock Hill Dr., Rock Hill, 845/791-1515    

 Pennsylvania

Standing order extends to all pharmacies, though not all pharmacies stock Naloxone. According to a press release from Gov. Tom Wolf, Naloxone can be obtained from “most pharmacies.”
The order can be read at https://bit.ly/2MiR4XF
Instructions for using the standing order:*

• Have insurance card ready.
• Bring an ID.
• Ask whether the pharmacy has Naloxone in stock to obtain through PA’s Standing Order.
• If yes, ask for the cost of the co-pay before the order is filled.
• If they do not have it in stock, request that it be ordered or ask if another location has it in stock.
• While many may have a co-pay for brand Narcan, other brands may be free.
• If the pharmacist declines your request, ask if they’re familiar with the standing order.
• If they are unable to fill the request or are unfamiliar with the standing order, go to another pharmacy.

*from www.phila.gov