Summary of Amended Substitute House Bill No. 4

• Expands authority to dispense and furnish naloxone for opioid overdoses to include physicians, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, certified nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and pharmacy interns without requiring prior examination of the recipient.

• Allows physicians to establish written protocols authorizing other individuals to personally furnish naloxone to persons experiencing or at risk of opioid overdose, provided training and instructions on emergency services are completed.

• Permits pharmacists and pharmacy interns to dispense naloxone without a prescription when authorized by a physician or board of health under an established protocol.

• Requires the state board of pharmacy and department of mental health and addiction services to annually conduct on-site inspections of opioid treatment programs that dispense buprenorphine.

• Declares the act an emergency measure effective immediately due to growing concerns about buprenorphine abuse in opioid treatment programs.