Opioid Antagonists

(1) For purposes of 247 CMR 9.06: (a) High overdose area shall mean a geographical area that appears on a list published by the Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, of areas with high incidence of opiate overdose. (b) "Opioid antagonist information pamphlet" shall mean a Board approved pamphlet that provides information about an opioid antagonist and responding to an overdose. (c) Opioid antagonist shall mean naloxone or any other drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a competitive narcotic antagonist used in the reversal of overdoses caused by opioids; (d) Statewide standing order shall mean an order issued by the Commissioner or a physician designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and registered to distribute or dispense controlled substances pursuant to M.G.L. c. 94C, § 19B; (2) High overdose area: (a) A pharmacy located in a high overdose area shall maintain a continuous supply of naloxone rescue kits or other approved opioid antagonists readily available for dispensing. (b) A pharmacy that is not located a high overdose area may dispense naloxone rescue kits or other approved opioid antagonists pursuant to the statewide standing order or a prescription, provided that the pharmacy complies with all other provisions in 247 CMR 9.06. (3) A pharmacy that dispenses a naloxone rescue kit or other approved opioid antagonist shall provide counseling and the "opioid antagonist information pamphlet" at the time of dispensing. (4) A pharmacy that does not have a naloxone rescue kit or other approved opioid antagonist readily available for dispensing at the time requested shall refer the requestor to the nearest location that has a naloxone rescue kit or other approved opioid antagonist readily available. (5) A pharmacy that assembles opioid antagonist rescue kits shall affix a label to the outer package noting "Opioid Antagonist Rescue Kit" or "[NAME OF THE OPIOID ANTAGONIST] Rescue Kit" and the expiration date, which shall be based on the expiration date of the included unit. 247 CMR - 53