U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) issued a call on Monday to make naloxone, a drug that can prevent overdose deaths, more available in Pennsylvania.
Shuster was joined by U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and other representatives from the state in a letter calling on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to consider co-prescribing guidelines for naloxone that have been taken in other states.
“There is a heroin and opioid abuse epidemic occurring in Pennsylvania, and we are losing people of all ages each day to this evil substance,” Shuster said. “Every step that can be considered should be considered, and I believe that this is one that can be taken to save lives.”
There were 2,732 overdoses in Pennsylvania between 2013 and 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This ranked among the highest of any states in the nation,” Shuster wrote. “At the same time, since 2000, the country has seen a 200 percent increase in drug overdoses related to the use of opioids (both prescription pain medicines and heroin). This suggests nothing less than a full-blown crisis and we must work together to address this.”
Shuster noted “broad consensus” in the medical community — including from the American Medical Association’s Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse — that increased access to naloxone should be part of larger efforts to curb the opioid epidemic.
“As such, we urge (Wolf) to take the same action which numerous states, as well as the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) already have and issue guidelines for co-prescribing naloxone along with a patient’s prescription of opioid medications,” the lawmakers wrote. “Having the proper tools in place for those on long term opioid therapy, such as a naloxone auto-injector, can save countless lives. We recognize that there may be considerable stigma for both a prescribing physician and a patient, and believe that the proper guidelines and education will help increase access to this life saving drug.”