Conroy hails bill to increase access to opioid antagonists

HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, this week hailed House passage of legislation that addresses the state’s opioid crisis (HB6856).

Between 2009-2014, there were more than 2,000 accidental and unintentional opioid involved deaths that occurred in 150 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

State Rep. Theresa Conroy 

“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis across Connecticut that requires aggressive action by the state,” Conroy said.

The legislation improves the monitoring and reporting of narcotic prescriptions by prescribers and pharmacists.
It requires practitioners, before prescribing greater than a 72-hour supply of any controlled substance, to check the patient's record in the prescription drug monitoring program and to review the patient's record at least every 90 days if prescribing for prolonged treatment with narcotics.

“Prescription abuse is often the first step,” Conroy said. “When prescriptions become too costly or difficult to find, heroin becomes the next step.”

The legislation also increases access to life-saving opioid antagonists. Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist that works to reverse the effects of opioids. Nalaxone is not addictive and has few side effects.

"It is effective in saving the lives of people who have overdosed on an opioid like heroin," Conroy said. "This legislation will allow pharmacists to dispense Naxalone without a prescription."

The bills await action by the state Senate.


This is a release from Conroy's office.