Standing Order for Naloxone in Pharmacies

All pharmacies in New York State may dispense naloxone through a standing order (non-patient specific prescription).

Naloxone is an easily administered medication which reverses life-threatening overdoses from opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and opioid-based pain killers. This order enables more non-medical New Yorkers who encounter or witness an overdose to have naloxone available which, when administered in time, saves lives. Expanding access to naloxone continues to be an urgent priority in New York State, particularly in light of increasing overdoses.

More information on opioid overdoses throughout New York State is available here.

Non-Medical New Yorkers Seeking Naloxone in Pharmacies

Non-medical people seeking naloxone in pharmacies should know:

  • You do not need to have your own prescription to obtain naloxone. Simply request this medication at the pharmacy counter and present your insurance information.
  • The Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP) will cover co-payments of up to $40 resulting in no or lower out-of-pocket expenses for most insured persons. You can find additional information on N-CAP here.
  • If you do not have insurance, you may still purchase naloxone at the pharmacy or go to one of the State's Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs where naloxone can be provided at no cost. You can find a program near you here.

For Pharmacies

  • You do not need to apply to NYSDOH to dispense naloxone through this standing order.
  • All dispensing of naloxone through this standing order should be done in accordance with its pharmacy dispensing protocol.
  • If you currently have a standing order for dispensing naloxone, it remains in effect.
  • NYSDOH will be collecting information from you regarding your location and hours of operation to produce an updated directory for the public.
  • An updated, free online training for community pharmacists on Dispensing Naloxone via a Non-Patient Specific Prescription is now available. Continuing Pharmacy Education credits are available at no cost.

Resources

For questions related specifically to the standing order, please send an email to naloxonepharmacy@health.ny.gov