|
In This Issue
- A Note from the Naloxone Distribution Team
-
New Guidance from VDH
-
Program Reminders
-
Distribution Data
-
Presentations
- New Partner Resources
-
Promising Practices
|
|
A Note from the VDH Naloxone Distribution Team
The Naloxone Distribution wants to thank you for your flexibility and patience as we transition to the new Pharmacy Partner Hub over the next few months. We hope this will be an easy and effective system for our naloxone partners to use. For more information about the new Pharmacy Partner Hub, please see “What’s New” below!
- The Naloxone Distribution Team
|
|
What's New?
The Pharmacy Partner Hub
The Virginia Department of Health has developed an enhanced process for organizations to apply for and order no-cost naloxone, test strips and supplies. This new portal is called the Pharmacy Partner Hub and will replace the current application and order processes via REDCap.
The transition from REDCap to The Pharmacy Partner Hub will benefit organizations by providing:
-
Additional visibility for organizations to see status of their current and past orders
-
Ability to mark orders as “Received”
-
Ability to review comprehensive order history
-
Ability to cancel a submitted order, if needed
-
Ability to add multiple delivery addresses if your organization has multiple locations
- Ability to add and manage multiple users to order naloxone and/or supplies
The Naloxone Distribution Team will be registering and transitioning each partner type to this new portal in phases with a goal of all organizations utilizing the Pharmacy Partner Hub to order naloxone and/or supplies by July 1, 2024. We will contact your organization with specific details when it is your turn to register!
Upon having all partners registered, all naloxone and/or supply orders will be submitted and processed through the Pharmacy Partner Hub and the previous REDCap forms will become inactive. If your organization has not yet transitioned to the new Hub, please continue to order through the REDCap order survey.
Our goal is to make this as smooth a transition as possible to a new portal that will be user-friendly and effective for our partners! Additional information and resources will be shared as it becomes available, including an opportunity to attend a demo to learn more about the Pharmacy Partner Hub. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Naloxone Distribution Team if you have any questions or concerns at opioidreversal@vdh.virginia.gov.
What do you know about the VDH Naloxone Distribution Program?
This quiz is for you – our partners! Please take a few moments to complete this 3-question quiz and see your results to show how well you know the Naloxone Distribution Program! be anonymous and will not be shared by the Naloxone Distribution Team, but the aggregate data will help us to determine what, if any, program requirements may need to be clarified for partners.
As a Reminder...
Naloxone Storage
Summer is just around the corner! As the weather heats up in Virginia, please make sure you are storing your naloxone at a safe temperature. The manufacturers for generic and brand-name naloxone recommend storing naloxone between 68° F and 77° F and protected from light. The Narcan® manufacturer has conducted testing to permit temperature excursions of between 41°F and 104°F, showing that Narcan® nasal spray remains stable when placed in non-standard conditions up to 104°F or down to 41°F for up to 12 months.
If you have naloxone on you that has been exposed to higher temperatures, it is still recommended that you use the product in response to a suspected overdose emergency. Please adhere to the expiration date as printed on the package. If your naloxone is expired or damaged, please use the RETURN form on the VDH Naloxone Distribution Webpage to return expired or unused damaged product.
|
|
Naloxone Distribution Data – 2023
The chart below shows naloxone distributed by partner type in SFY24.
Quarter 3 Distribution Highlights:
-
Comprehensive Harm Reduction Sites and Community Services Boards have noted increase in program participation and demand for no-cost naloxone for high-risk groups.
-
20 new K-12 Public School Divisions have signed agreements to receive no-cost naloxone from VDH since January!
|
|
Recent Presentations
Naloxone for First Responders Webinar, in collaboration with Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) Naloxone Program for First Responders
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Naloxone and Test Strip Distribution Webinar for Free Clinics & FQHCs
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Naloxone and Test Strip Distribution Webinar for Community Services Boards
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Naloxone Distribution Webinar for K-12 Public Schools
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
New Resources for Partners
K-12 Public School Divisions
VDH recently shared and posted guidance documents for K-12 public and private school staff:
First Responders
VDH recently posted a Community Partner Guide for First Responders on the VDH Naloxone Webpage. This guide is intended to inform First Responders about other key partners that provide naloxone and harm reduction services to individuals across the Commonwealth. These partners are great places to refer individuals that need access to additional services after interactions with first responders.
|
|
Promising Practices
Tips for Managing Naloxone Inventory to Prevent Waste
Organizations that receive no-cost naloxone are required to return expired, unused, or damaged naloxone to the Virginia Department of Health.
Sites are required to return expired, unused, or damaged naloxone kits and may not distribute them to other organizations. Several organizations have recently returned expiring product in preparation for ordering new naloxone to stock or dispense. As an example, Fairfax County Public Schools returned their expiring naloxone that is maintained on-site at their schools prior to ordering and distributing new naloxone product across their school district.
Below are some recommendations for rotating your naloxone stock ahead of its expiration date to increase the chance of naloxone getting used before it expires:
Rotating undesignated stock to dispensing stock
If your organization maintains a supply of undesignated naloxone stock on-site to be used in the event of a suspected overdose and also dispenses naloxone to individuals at high risk of witnessing or experiencing overdose, you may consider transferring naloxone used as undesignated stock to their dispensing supply as the undesignated stock expiration date approaches to reduce the risk of product expiring unused. Individuals at high risk of witnessing or experiencing overdose may be more likely to use their naloxone, so they may be able to use the product before it expires.
Rotating office-based stock to field stock
If your organization maintains naloxone in multiple locations that are not equally likely to be used (e.g., a law enforcement agency might maintain naloxone within their office and may also require law enforcement officers to carry naloxone on their person), you may consider rotating naloxone stock to these higher-risk locations as it gets closer to its expiration date to increase the chance of naloxone getting used before it expires.
|
|
|
We want to hear from you!
If you have questions or feedback, please contact the Naloxone Distribution Team.
|
|
|
|
