What’s happening: In 2018, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) established the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to distribute naloxone — also referred to as “Narcan” — and fentanyl testing strips to key stakeholders free of charge.
What else to know: Hospital emergency departments are among those who can apply online to receive free naloxone and testing strips. Since the program’s inception, hospitals have received 332,000 naloxone testing kits and 188,000 fentanyl testing kits.
Requirements to apply include:
- Capability to track overdose reversals
- Capability to store material from NDP separately from pharmacy stock
- An explanation of why the amount ordered is needed
- Standing order or physician’s prescription for naloxone
Successful applicants can order 4 milligrams of generic and Narcan nasal naloxone. Naloxone orders must be made in increments of 1,000. Furthermore, fentanyl testing strips must be ordered in increments of 500, up to 25,000 per application.
Additional information on the NDP can be found on the DHCS website.
