Pharmacist dispensed naloxone: Knowledge, availability, participation and cost in selected California counties

In 2014, California signed into law AB1535 permitting pharmacists to dispense naloxone upon request and without physician or midlevel provider prescription.

We sought to determine pharmacist knowledge of AB1535, participation, availability of naloxone, future plans for participation, and out-of-pocket charges to consumers amongst outpatient pharmacies in selected California counties.

All pharmacies in Plumas, Lake, Lassen, Humboldt, Shasta, Fresno, and San Diego Counties were identified. Between January 30 and March 30, 2017, pharmacies meeting inclusion criteria were contacted and the pharmacist-on-duty were queried regarding knowledge, participation, availability, and cost of naloxone.

A total of 2296 pharmacies were identified in the 7 counties. Twenty-six were unwilling or unable to participate and an additional 1648 were excluded because of licensing or special pharmacy status. Six-hundred-twenty-two pharmacies completed the survey. There was variation in knowledge of AB1535, participation in, immediate availability of naloxone, charge, and expressed future interest in participation identified. Charge to consumers was similarly variable amongst surveyed pharmacies within counties.

Despite considerable public health and political support, the passage of CA AB1535 has not resulted in broad current, future planned participation, or availability of naloxone in selected counties. Out-of-pocket costs to the consumer remain highly variable.