Drugs.com: More naloxone orders filled when pharmacists can dispense

Pharmacy researchers at the University of Cincinnati unveiled an impactful research study on Jan. 31, 2020 that shows an association between a 2015 Ohio law and a surge in the dispensing of naloxone in Ohio pharmacies. Naloxone is the anti-overdose drug and pharmacists here can now legally dispense it in the state, without a prescription.

While the study focused solely on the increase in distribution of this lifesaving medication,  the implications are that death rates by overdose drop up to 14% in states where access is increased. As the opioid crisis continues to plague the U.S. and other countries, reporters from national, regional and local outlets took great interest in the study. The college dean, Neil MacKinnon, and lead faculty researcher, Pamela Heaton, participated in both televsion and print media interviews within days of the study's release.

A sample of the widespread interest includes: 

• USA Today: News from around our 50 states
• Drugs.com: More Naloxone Orders Filled When Pharmacists Can Dispense
• U.S. News and World Report: Study: Naloxone Dispensing Increased More Than 2,000%
• AP: Study: Naloxone dispensing increased more than 2,000%
• UPI: Naloxone sales up 2,300% in Ohio after law loosens pharmacist restrictions
• WBNS: Study: Naloxone dispensing in Ohio increased more than 2,000% since 2015

Featured image: generic pharmacy purchases/unsplash.com/Tbel Abuseridze