02-392 C.M.R. ch. 40, § 10 - Counseling/Instructions to the Person Being Prescribed and Dispensed an Opioid Antagonist

A pharmacist shall offer counseling, in accordance with 32 M.R.S. §13784 and Board Rule Chapter 25 on Patient Counseling, to persons being prescribed and dispensed an opioid antagonist. At the time of dispensing an opioid antagonist, the pharmacist shall provide written instructions on the proper response to an opioid-related overdose, including instructions for seeking immediate medical attention. Counseling should include the following:

1. Instruct the person to whom an opioid antagonist is dispensed to summon emergency services as soon as practicable either before or after administering an opioid antagonist.

2. Personally provide the service of oral counseling and written education materials to the person to whom an opioid antagonist is dispensed, appropriate to the dosage form of the an opioid antagonist dispensed, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

A. Risk factors of opioid overdose;

B. Strategies to prevent opioid overdose;

C. Signs of opioid overdose;

D. Steps in responding to an overdose;

E. Information on Naloxone HCl;

F. Procedures for administering Naloxone HCl;

G. Proper storage and expiration of Naloxone HCl product dispensed; and

H. Information on where to obtain a referral for substance abuse treatment.

Pharmacists prescribing and dispensing an opioid antagonist shall ensure that all pharmacy interns under their oversight who dispense an opioid antagonist pursuant to this rule are appropriately trained on the use of an opioid antagonist and can meet the counseling requirements.

Notes

02-392 C.M.R. ch. 40, § 10