Association of Naloxone Co-Prescription Laws with Naloxone Prescription Dispensing in the United States

Question

Are legal mandates for naloxone coprescription associated with increases in naloxone prescription dispensing?

Findings

In this population-based, state-level cohort study using data from retail pharmacies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, having a legal mandate for naloxone coprescription was associated with approximately 7.75 times more dispensed naloxone prescriptions compared with not having the requirements. This equates to an estimated 214 additional naloxone prescriptions dispensed per month in the period following the mandates, holding all other variables constant.

Meaning

State legal interventions that mandate naloxone coprescription for potentially at-risk patients may be associated with increases in naloxone prescription dispensing in retail pharmacies, and this strategymay be useful to improve naloxone availability and reduce opioid-related harm.