| Prescriptions such as NARCAN and others that work as a brand of the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug naloxone are being asked by the Wolf Administration to get reviewed in regards to their expiration dates Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the extension of the shelf life of NARCAN Nasal Spray from 24 months to 36 months. |
| Prescriptions such as NARCAN and others that work as a brand of the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug naloxone are being asked by the Wolf Administration to get reviewed in regards to their expiration dates Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the extension of the shelf life of NARCAN Nasal Spray from 24 months to 36 months. “We are committed to ensuring that naloxone is widely available to help those with the disease of addiction,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Naloxone has one role, and that is to save someone who is suffering from an overdose. It is essential that every Pennsylvanian consider obtaining naloxone to help save a life. Additionally, the Wolf Administration has sponsored two public giveaway events as part of Stop Overdose in Pennsylvania: Get Help Now week, where nearly 10,000 kits of naloxone were distributed. Launched in November 2017, the Naloxone for First Responders Program provides NARCAN to priority first responder groups across the Commonwealth utilizing a network of Centralized Coordinating Entities (CCEs). Since inception, CCEs have distributed more than 67,000 kits of NARCAN to first responder groups, resulting in more than 15,463 reported overdose reversals to date. “The news that the FDA has approved NARCAN’s shelf-life is most welcome, as it ensures that the naloxone that we have already distributed can be relied upon to combat overdoses for an additional year,” said Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Executive Director Michael Pennington. The Opioid Command Center, established in January 2018 when Gov. Wolf signed the first opioid disaster declaration, continues to meet each week to discuss the opioid crisis and their plan. The plan, available here, includes five goal areas: prevention, rescue, treatment, recovery and sustainability. Efforts over the past several years, working with state agencies, local, regional and federal officials, have resulted in significant action to address the opioid crisis. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) has reduced opioid prescriptions by 34 percent and has virtually eliminated doctor shopping. The number of people receiving high dosages of opioids (defined as greater than 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day) has dropped 53 percent since the PDMP launched in August 2016. The Opioid Data Dashboard and Data Dashboard 2.0 has provided public-facing data regarding prevention, rescue and treatment.11 Pennsylvania Coordinated Medication Assisted Treatment (Pac MAT) programs are serving as part of a hub-and-spoke model to provide evidence-based treatment to people where they live, with just under $26 million dedicated into the centers. More than 45 Centers of Excellence (COE), administered by the Department of Human Services, provide coordinated, evidence-based treatment to people with an opioid use disorder covered by Medicaid. The COEs have treated more than 32,500 people since first launching in 2016.The waiver of birth certificate fees for those with opioid use disorder has helped more than 4,800 people, enabling easier entry into recovery programs. A standing order signed by Dr. Rachel Levine in 2018 allowed EMS to leave behind more than 2,400 doses of naloxone. Education has been provided to more than 6,600 prescribers through either online or face-to-face education.882 drug take-back boxes help Pennsylvanians properly dispose of unwanted drugs, including 178,540 pounds of unwanted drugs in 2019. The Get Help Now Hotline received more than 39,000 calls, with nearly half of all callers connected directly to a treatment provider. The state prison system has expanded their Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program which is viewed as a model program for other states. A body scanner pilot project was also successful in reducing overdoses and violent crime in community correctional facilities. Education and training on opioids have been provided to schools. Future plans are in place to make opioid education a standard component of their school-based training. The coordination with seven major commercial providers has expanded access to naloxone and mental health care, while also working to make care more affordable. More information on the opioid’s crisis can be found on the Department of Health’s website at Health.pa.gov . |
