Access to naloxone at community pharmacies under the Massachusetts statewide standing order

This study aimed to evaluate access to, and barriers to accessing, naloxone at community pharmacies throughout Massachusetts following implementation of new legislation that requires all community pharmacies to maintain a sufficient supply for dispensing under a statewide standing order.

From September 2018 through January 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional telephone-based survey of Massachusetts pharmacies by having an interviewer pose as a customer seeking naloxone.

Community pharmacies were identified from a list of all actively licensed pharmacies provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and one-half were randomly selected for inclusion. Pharmacies that were permanently closed, duplicated on the list, or closed to the general public were excluded from analysis.

Rates of stocked naloxone, perceived need for identification or prescription, and pricing.

Of the 524 pharmacies surveyed, 97.7% (n = 512) reported routinely stocking naloxone. Of those, 90.4% (n = 463) had naloxone in stock on the day of contact. Most pharmacies with naloxone in stock did not require a prescription (96.1%; n = 445); at these pharmacies, personal identification was required by 38.9% (n = 180). The average out-of-pocket naloxone nasal spray price was $128.34 ± $40.75.

Nearly all Massachusetts community pharmacies routinely stock naloxone as required by state law; however, barriers remain regarding perceived need for identification and high out-of-pocket costs.