New Wolf admin order expands access to ‘most cost-effective form’ of naloxone

By Cassie Miller – Capital-Star

HARRISBURG, PA – Gov. Tom Wolf has again expanded his standing naloxone order to include non-prefilled syringes of liquid naloxone.

The order, which was expanded on Tuesday, now includes a non-prefilled syringe with two single-dose vials of liquid naloxone that is injectable. The Wolf administration said that this form of Naloxone is currently “the most cost-effective form available.”

The expanded order gives Pennsylvanians affected by substance use disorder a chance to receive treatment, Wolf said in a statement.

“With this expansion of naloxone availability, each of us has the opportunity to be a first responder to a fellow Pennsylvanian amid the ongoing opioid crisis,” Wolf said. “When an overdose is reversed thanks to naloxone, and someone’s life is saved, we are giving them another chance at life. This tool is free for Pennsylvanians, and it works. With it, we can help survivors down the road to recovery and treatment.”

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith praised the effort to make Naloxone accessible to Pennsylvanians.

“This latest expansion of the naloxone standing order underscores the continued need to make this life-saving drug as accessible as possible and reinforces the Wolf Administration’s dedication to combating the overdose crisis,” Smith said.

Wolf last issued an expanded naloxone order in late July, updating the order to include single-dose pre-filled syringes of the overdose-reversing medicine.

Residents and first responders can obtain naloxone for free from their local pharmacy or through a statewide mail program.