4FB3208C283E8AB9872584470071C86E Hearing Summary

Dr. Camilla Sasson, American Heart Association, discussed activities of the organization to address the opioid epidemic, including offering a training course on administering naloxone.

Dr. Sasson discussed a connected pulse system to collect real-time data from a variety of sources on the use of naloxone.  She recommended pairing naloxone kits with AED devices in public, where possible.

Lindsey Myers, CDPHE, discussed CDPHE's naloxone standing order that authorizes pharmacists to dispense naloxone to a variety of actors and referred to a powerpoint presentation (Attachment H).  Ms. Myers discussed CDPHE's statewide naloxone needs assessment.

Ms. Myers continued to discuss the naloxone needs assessment.  The needs assessment found that 80 percent of pharmacies contacted in Colorado had naloxone readily available and 58 percent distributed naloxone without a prescription.

Senator Petterson commented on the results of the assessment and asked if pharmacies were aware that a perscription is not necessary to distribute naloxone. 

Ms. Myers explained that the Office of Behavioral Health has distributed 28,256 naloxone kits through federal grant funds.  She described the OpiRescue application and how law enforcement are being encouraged to use it.  Ms. Myers discussed the antagonist bulk order fund that was created in CDPHE, and noted a potential funding gap for FY 2020-21, because the bill authorized a one-time appropriation of $250,000.  

Ms. Meyers discussed fentanyl test strips for opioids and a pilot program to distribute them.  She explained that 90 percent of participants in the pilot program that reported a positive result for fetanyl took action to protect themselves from overdose, and 43 percent of participants with a positive result for fetanyl reported less opioid use.