As of June 24, 2016 naloxone, when indicated for emergency use for opioid overdose outside hospital settings, is available to any patient or patient’s agent from community pharmacists without a prescription.  

Pharmacists are authorized to dispense any formulation of naloxone available for sale and distribution in Canada.  The College is aware that the nasal spray formulation of naloxone hydrochloride, Narcan®, is permitted to be imported and sold in Canada as of July 6, 2016. Pharmacists may access naloxone through regular distribution channels or U.S. distributers as per Health Canada’s requirements for importing and selling Narcan®.  The Ontario Pharmacists Association may be an additional source of information regarding sourcing supplies for pharmacy-assembled take-home naloxone kits.

When dispensing any formulation of naloxone, pharmacists are expected to practice in accordance with all of the requirements outlined in the College’s Guidance – Dispensing or Selling Naloxone.  It is the professional responsibility of a pharmacist to ensure that he or she has sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to competently deliver any pharmacy service.  The College has included links to external training resources for pharmacists to ensure they are prepared to safely and effectively provide naloxone to a patient or patient's agent.