CINCINNATI, Ohio– A new study shows the number of prescriptions for an emergency medication to stop drug overdoses is going up, way up.
First responders normally use the medicine called Naloxone, known by its brand name as Narcan, but now it’s not just first responders who can use it. And a new study shows people are getting a lot more of it.
- A new study released today shows a dramatic increase in Narcan prescriptions
- More than 2,000% increase in prescription Narcan highlighted in the study
- Researchers are University of Cincinnati started the study after the new law went into effect in 2015
“It can certainly be the person themselves who may be at risk of overdosing, it could also be a friend or family member (who can get the medicine),” said Dr. Pam Heaton, Researcher, and Professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Pharmacy.
The drug used to be off-limits to the general public until a new law went into effect, allowing pharmacists to give it to anyone who needs it.
But that’s when Dr. Pam Heaton, at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Pharmacy, started researching.
“We had data from Ohio Medicaid to look specifically at prescriptions that were dispensed by Ohio Medicaid,” said Heaton.
She says after about two years comparing the data, she and her team found more a major increase.
She says Narcan prescriptions went from about 180 ed before the law went into effect, to 3,800 after, that’s more than a 2,000% increase.
“Very exciting that people can now have this critical live-saving medication that they need, they can get it from their pharmacists, so pharmacists have a critical role to play in the opioid epidemic to help patients get this medication,” said Heaton.
She says they plan to use the data from the study to help educate students, the community and take it straight to lawmakers.
“While many states now have passed many laws to increase access to Naloxone, that there’s still more work to be done,” said Heaton.