As Connecticut and the country step up efforts to curb the increase in prescription drug and heroin use, officially a Centers for Disease Control and prevention public health crisis as of 2015, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed legislation to increasing access for first responders and citizens to naloxone, a medication able to reverse opioid overdose.
“Addiction is a public health issue and a disease and our laws need to reflect that,” Malloy said in a statement. “Connecticut is taking a stand against a nationwide prescription opioid and heroin overdose epidemic. These are commonsense improvements that we can make today that will save lives tomorrow.”
The proposed legislation, House Bill 5053 -Â An Act Increasing Access to Overdose Reversal Drugs, will require municipalities ensure primary emergency response providers are equipped and trained in use of naloxone. The legislation will also prohibit commercial health carriers from requiring prior authorization for coverage of naloxone.
According to Malloy”™s office, no commercial health plans currently require prior authorization, but the imposition of such a requirement could pose a significant barrier to individuals requesting the drug. Any potential fiscal impact of House Bill 5053 on municipalities is expected to be minor – many towns and cities already have first responders equipped with naloxone. For those who will need to purchase the lifesaving medication, there are currently kits available that cost $35 a dose.
“Expanding access to life-saving treatment is the right thing to do,” Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said. “Addiction can tear apart lives. Government can and should take these steps to help these families and their loved ones survive an overdose and get the treatment they need to recover.”
