As of April 24, 2014, Georgia practitioners were authorized to begin issuing prescriptions for Opioid Antagonists (Naloxone). Please notify any and all pharmacies and pharmacists in your company, association, or practice area of this new law, and the fact that it is now in effect, and these Naloxone prescriptions can now be filled and dispensed.

Unlike traditional prescriptions, practitioners may prescribe an opioid antagonist in the name of an organization, clinic, or law enforcement agency. The practitioner is authorized to issue these prescriptions to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid related overdose or to a pain management clinic, first responder, harm reduction organization, family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid related overdose.  

A pharmacist acting in good faith and in compliance with the standard of care applicable to pharmacists may dispense opioid antagonists pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with subsection (b) of this Code section. Meaning a Naloxone prescription does not have to be issued to a particular person. The prescription can be written in the name of a pain management clinic, a first responder agency (i.e. police department, law enforcement agency, etc.) or an overdose reduction organization. The prescription can be for one dosage unit or an unlimited number, depending totally upon the practitioner issuing the prescription.

Please be proactive in this situation and prepare to have in stock the Naloxone as written by the practitioners.  It is not a valid excuse that this type of prescription cannot be filled and dispensed. Within days of the Holly Springs Police Department issuing Naloxone to its police force an officer responded to an overdose call. He was able to administer the Naloxone and save the life of a young adult – the exact reason for this law being passed.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact GDNA.