Mandating Pharmacy Co-Dispensing of Naloxone With High-Risk Opioid Prescriptions
Naloxone is a proven medication that reverses opioid overdoses and reduces mortality when available to patients at risk. Yet access remains inconsistent. Although many states allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone, most systems rely on voluntary offering rather than automatic dispensing. Research shows that optional naloxone offering results in extremely low uptake among high risk patients. This memo recommends a pharmacy level naloxone co-dispensing requirement in which naloxone is automatically dispensed with high risk opioid prescriptions unless a patient opts out. Evidence from clinical studies shows that co-dispensing significantly reduces overdose related emergency department visits and improves patient safety.
By Ronit Ginde
May 1, 2026