Naloxone for Programs and Agencies

There are many types of workers who can give naloxone to community members.

Eligibility

Many types of workers can give naloxone to community members. Please review the Standing Order for Dispensing Naloxone Rescue Kits (PDF) | (DOCX) to determine eligibility. 

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR)

Public officials whose regular job duties require them to possess and distribute naloxone do not require an MCSR in order to do so.  This category includes persons such as police officers, fire fighters, municipal EMTs and public health nurses.

Entities do not need an MCSR in order to purchase, store or give naloxone kits to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose, as well as to the family members, friends or other persons in a position to assist individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

For information on how to purchase naloxone at public interest pricing through the State Office of Pharmacy Services (SOPS), refer to the instructions below for your agency type.   If your entity wishes to give naloxone kits to other groups or entities, so that the other group or entity can hand them out to individuals as described above, please apply for a Municipality/Non-Municipal public agency MCSR.

SOPS bulk purchasing program

Many organization and agency types can purchase naloxone through SOPS. Please find your organization or agency category below for more information.

Municipal and State Police, Fire, and Sheriff’s Departments

Currently, all naloxone obtained by these entities through SOPS is fully subsidized by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. 

Prior to placing an order, please determine the shipping address and contact information for any naloxone orders. To place an order, or to inquire about updated naloxone costs through SOPS, please contact Scott Brody at [e-mail] or [phone]. 

Medical providers such as hospitals order naloxone for patient administration from their preferred medical supply wholesalers and send patients to pharmacies for take-home doses. 

Public and Non-Public Schools

Schools may order naloxone for free through SOPS without any further approval from the Department of Public Health. Naloxone received from SOPS must only be administered to individuals in the event of an overdose.  Administration of naloxone obtained by the school district or school  requires registration with MDPH School Health Services for medication delegation/epinephrine training, and an MCSR which is available after the school has completed registration and training with School Health Services Please see the MDPH School Health guidance document for details on how to register.

Prior to placing an order, please determine the shipping address and contact information for any naloxone orders. To place an order, or to inquire about updated naloxone costs through SOPS, please contact Scott Brody at [e-mail] or [phone].

Due to the current medication regulations, stock naloxone can only be kept in school health offices and administered by school health staff.  Please see this memo that addresses how schools must approach naloxone availability for the time being. 

DPH Contracted Syringe Service Programs

DPH-contracted SSPs must be approved as an Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program through DPH. For more information on OEND programs, please contact Ben Plant ([e-mail]).

All Other Entities

All entities that are not a municipal police or fire agency must be approved as an affiliate program through the Community Naloxone Purchasing Program (CNPP) to purchase naloxone through the SOPS bulk purchasing program with a partial or full subsidy.  Affiliate Programs may use the naloxone ordered through this program for both emergency response as well as community level distribution. 

For more information on CNPP, please visit our webpage.