$5 Million for Naloxone Included in Wolf Budget

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Wolf announced Thursday that the $5 million included in the 2017-18 budget to provide naloxone to first responders in Pennsylvania is now available.

“Naloxone, a life-saving medication, is making a difference in the heroin and opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania and why I included funding for it in my 2017-18 budget,” Governor Wolf said. “This program will create a fast, efficient means of getting these life-saving kits in the hands of first responders; those people on the front line of the epidemic, and responsible not only for saving lives, but getting people into treatment via the warm handoff program, and ultimately into recovery.”

More than 60,000 Naloxone kits, which include two, 4-milligram doses in each, will be available to all 67 counties over a two-year period using the funding. The kits are supplied by Adapt Pharma, headquartered in Radnor.

“Pennsylvania continues to lead the way in improving awareness and access to this potentially life-saving medication,” said Mike Kelly, President, U.S. Operations, Adapt Pharma. “We applaud Governor Wolf’s commitment to this initiative as well as the commonwealth’s broader initiatives to address this epidemic.”

PCCD is releasing a request for applications to support the provision of intranasal naloxone kits to first responders today. NARCAN®(naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray is needle-free and does not require assembly. It’s designed for ease of use for nonmedical personnel.

One main point-of-contact for each county or region will be identified to coordinate the process of getting the kits into the hands of first responders. That point-of-contact will be responsible for identifying first responder needs for naloxone within that county or region.

The Wolf Administration’s Physician General and Acting Secretary for DOH Dr. Rachel Levine issued a standing order for naloxone in April of this year. Since that time, more than 3,900 lives have been saved with naloxone.

The Gov. Wolf administration and various state agencies have been increasing efforts in the heroin and opioid epidemic fight in multiple additional areas, including numerous programs and initiatives.


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