Local Pharmacies Partner with GCHD to Distribute Informational Packets

The Garrett County Health Department is partnering with local pharmacies to distribute packets of information to clients who are purchasing Naloxone, a lifesaving medication that can quickly restore the breathing of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Because so many Maryland residents are dying of opioid overdoses than ever before, Maryland made Naloxone available without a prescription beginning in June 2017.

Opioids are a group of drugs that include heroin and prescription medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl and methadone. The packets the pharmacies are distributing include information on local support, treatment, and recovery resources, as well directions on how to administer Naloxone.

“Most local pharmacies are involved in this partnership,” said Sadie Liller, Prevention Coordinator at the Health Department, “so call your pharmacy to see if they are participating.”

Follow these steps to get Naloxone from a pharmacy:

1. Call ahead. Most pharmacies carry naloxone, but call to make sure it is in stock.
2. Ask to speak with the pharmacist. Naloxone is a prescription drug, so it won’t be available on the retail shelf with “over the counter” medications like aspirin.
3. Mention the Statewide Standing Order issued by Dr. Howard Haft, Maryland Department of Health. The order allows pharmacists to dispense Naloxone to anyone without a paper or electronic prescription.
4. Talk to your pharmacist about how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone.

For more information on this project, call the health department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.