§978.2. Naloxone; prescription; dispensing; administration by third party; limitation of liability

A. A licensed medical practitioner may, directly or by standing order, prescribe or dispense the drug naloxone or another opioid antagonist without having examined the individual to whom it may be administered if both of the following conditions are met:

(1) The licensed medical practitioner provides the individual receiving and administering the naloxone or other opioid antagonist all training required by the department for the safe and proper administration of naloxone or another opioid antagonist to individuals who are undergoing or who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose. The training, at a minimum, shall address all of the following:

(a) Techniques on how to recognize signs of an opioid-related drug overdose.

(b) Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of naloxone or another opioid antagonist.

(c) Emergency follow-up procedures including the requirement to summon emergency services either immediately before or immediately after administering the naloxone or other opioid antagonist to an individual apparently experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.

(2) The naloxone or other opioid antagonist is prescribed or dispensed in such a manner that it shall be administered through a device approved for this purpose by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

B. A licensed medical practitioner who, in good faith, prescribes or dispenses naloxone or another opioid antagonist pursuant to Subsection A of this Section shall not, as a result of any act or omission, be subject to civil liability, criminal prosecution, or disciplinary or other adverse action under any professional licensing statute.

C.(1)(a) A licensed pharmacist shall dispense naloxone or another opioid antagonist prescribed, directly or by standing order, by a licensed medical practitioner pursuant to this Section.

(b) A licensed pharmacist may dispense naloxone or another opioid antagonist pursuant to a nonpatient-specific standing order as provided for in rules promulgated by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

(2) A licensed pharmacist who, in good faith, dispenses naloxone or another opioid antagonist pursuant to this Subsection shall not, as a result of any act or omission, be subject to civil liability, criminal prosecution, or disciplinary or other adverse action under any professional licensing statute.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, a person or organization acting pursuant to a standing order issued by a healthcare professional who is authorized to prescribe naloxone or another opioid antagonist may store naloxone or another opioid antagonist and may dispense naloxone or another opioid antagonist if such activities are performed without charge or compensation.

E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, any person may lawfully possess naloxone or another opioid antagonist.

F. A person acting in good faith who, pursuant to the provisions of this Section, receives and administers naloxone or another opioid antagonist to a person reasonably believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose shall be immune from criminal and civil liability for the administration, unless personal injury results from the gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in the administration of the drug.

G. The department shall develop and promulgate a set of best practices for use by a licensed medical practitioner pursuant to this Section including but not limited to the training necessary to safely and properly administer naloxone or another opioid antagonist to individuals who are undergoing or who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose, the standards and procedures for the storage and administration of naloxone or another opioid antagonist, and emergency follow-up procedures.

H. For the purposes of this Section the following definitions apply:

(1) "Department" means the Louisiana Department of Health.

(2) "Licensed medical practitioner" means a physician or other healthcare practitioner licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized to perform specified healthcare services consistent with state law.

(3) "Opioid-related drug overdose" means a condition including extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or the ceasing of respiratory or circulatory function resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid, or another substance with which an opioid was combined.

Acts 2015, No. 192, §1; Acts 2016, No. 370, §1, eff. June 5, 2016.