Iowa Code 147A.18 – Possession and administration of an opioid antagonist — immunity
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1. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a licensed health care professional may prescribe an opioid antagonist in the name of a service program, law enforcement agency, fire department, or secondary distributor to be maintained for use as provided in this section. For purposes of this section, “secondary distributor” means the same as defined in section 135.190.
b. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a pharmacist licensed under chapter 155A may, by standing order or through collaborative agreement, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide an opioid antagonist in the name of a service program, law enforcement agency, fire department, or secondary distributor to be maintained for use as provided in this section.
(2) A pharmacist or secondary distributor who dispenses, furnishes, or otherwise provides an opioid antagonist pursuant to a valid prescription, standing order, or collaborative agreement shall provide written instruction, which shall include emergency, crisis, and substance referral contact information, to the recipient in accordance with the protocols and instructions developed by the department under this section.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 147A.18
- Department: means the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. See Iowa Code 154A.1
- Department: means the department of health and human services. See Iowa Code 147A.1
- First responder: means an emergency medical care provider, a registered nurse staffing an authorized service program under section 147A. See Iowa Code 147A.1
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Licensed health care professional: means the same as defined in section 280. See Iowa Code 147A.1
- Opioid antagonist: means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors, including but not limited to naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting drug approved by the United States food and drug administration. See Iowa Code 147A.1
- Opioid-related overdose: means a condition affecting a person which may include extreme physical illness, a decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, a 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. See Iowa Code 147A.1
- Person: means a natural person. See Iowa Code 154A.1
- service: means any medical care ambulance service or nontransport service that has received authorization from the department under section 147A. See Iowa Code 147A.1
2. A service program, law enforcement agency, fire department, or secondary distributor may obtain a prescription for and maintain a supply of opioid antagonists. A service program, law enforcement agency, fire department, or secondary distributor that obtains such a prescription shall replace an opioid antagonist upon its use or expiration.
3. A first responder employed by a service program, law enforcement agency, or fire department that maintains a supply of opioid antagonists pursuant to this section may possess and provide or administer such an opioid antagonist to an individual if the first responder reasonably and in good faith believes that such individual is experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
4. A secondary distributor may possess and provide an opioid antagonist to a person in a position to assist as defined in section 135.190.
5. The following persons, provided they have acted reasonably and in good faith, shall not be liable for any injury arising from the provision, administration, or assistance in the administration of an opioid antagonist as provided in this section:
a. A first responder who provides, administers, or assists in the administration of an opioid antagonist to an individual as provided in this section.
b. A service program, law enforcement agency, fire department, or secondary distributor.
c. The prescriber of the opioid antagonist.
d. The pharmacist who dispenses the opioid antagonist.
6. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement and administer this section.