Advisory Ruling

Advisory Ruling  The Use of Naloxone in Residences That Are Registered as Medication Administration Program Sites

Date: 12/03/2015
Organization: Department of Public Health
Medication Administration Program
Referenced Sources: M.G.L. c. 94C

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, codeine, and methadone. Naloxone can reverse the life-threatening effects of overdose from heroin or opioid painkillers and has been used to save thousands of lives in Massachusetts.

Naloxone is the only Schedule VI controlled substance in Massachusetts that can be prescribed to someone other than the ultimate user.  In other words, G.L. c. 94C, §19(d) states that a prescription for naloxone is valid even if the prescription is written for and filled by one person, for use on someone else.  In addition, G.L. c. 94C, §34A(e) permits anyone acting in good faith to receive a naloxone prescription, possess it with or without a prescription, and administer it to anyone appearing to experience an opiate-related overdose.

Because naloxone is treated differently than any other prescription medication, and because any person can possess and administer naloxone, it is the policy of the Medication Administration Program (MAP) that the possession and use of naloxone is not covered by the MAP Policy Manual.   This means that if a DPH MAP Registered site chooses, as permitted within G.L.c.94C, §19(d) and G.L.c.94C, §34A(e), the site can purchase and store naloxone, and can determine which personnel are trained and authorized to administer naloxone if someone at the site experiences an opiate-related overdose.  The site should store the naloxone in a different location from the medications maintained within the Medication Administration Program.

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