Hello all,
I am currently on a pharmacy law rotation with a firm and going to meet with some community executives regarding the various state naloxone laws (standing order, etc.).
I was posed a question, which I am told was from the client, about what protection may be available for community pharmacists' in the event of an emergency-type situation.
There is documented immunity for prescribers, dispensers, and lay administrators (Good Samaritan) in most states, but the concern is whether or not a pharmacist would be protected as an 'administrator' (not a dispenser) in the emergency event that a patient presented to the pharmacy due to opioid overdose?
I have done quite a bit of research via The Network for Public Health Law (attached file to this thread) and have found some online resources:
http://lawatlas.org/query?dataset=laws-regulating-administration-of-naloxone
I guess what I am asking for is opinions on whether the decision to administer, as a pharmacist, is an ethical dilemma (such as administering an epi to a pt presenting w/anaphylaxis without an active prescription), or if anyone knows of any literature that details pharmacist liability in a situation such as this.
Any insight/help is appreciated.
I am currently on a pharmacy law rotation with a firm and going to meet with some community executives regarding the various state naloxone laws (standing order, etc.).
I was posed a question, which I am told was from the client, about what protection may be available for community pharmacists' in the event of an emergency-type situation.
There is documented immunity for prescribers, dispensers, and lay administrators (Good Samaritan) in most states, but the concern is whether or not a pharmacist would be protected as an 'administrator' (not a dispenser) in the emergency event that a patient presented to the pharmacy due to opioid overdose?
I have done quite a bit of research via The Network for Public Health Law (attached file to this thread) and have found some online resources:
http://lawatlas.org/query?dataset=laws-regulating-administration-of-naloxone
I guess what I am asking for is opinions on whether the decision to administer, as a pharmacist, is an ethical dilemma (such as administering an epi to a pt presenting w/anaphylaxis without an active prescription), or if anyone knows of any literature that details pharmacist liability in a situation such as this.
Any insight/help is appreciated.