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In This Issue
- A Note from the VDH Naloxone Distribution Team
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What's New?
- Coming Soon!
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Program Reminders
- Office Hours
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Distribution Data
- Partner Updates
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Happy Spring, naloxone partners! As warmer weather approaches, so do opportunities reconnect with each other, spend some time outside, participate in community events, and educate your community on the importance of naloxone! The Naloxone Distribution Team would love to hear what our partners are doing this spring to reconnect.
If you are interested in sharing activities, photos, or upcoming events with us, please send them to opioidreversal@vdh.virginia.gov. Thank you for the amazing work that you do to keep our communities safe and informed. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or feedback you may have about the program.
- The Naloxone Distribution Program
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What's New?
Extended Shelf Life of Naloxone Nasal Spray 4mg
The manufacturer of the generic OTC Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg that VDH purchases has extended the product shelf life to 48 months! The four-year expiration will apply to newly manufactured medicine that VDH plans to procure in the next few weeks. Please continue to follow the expiration date printed on the product packaging that is currently in your program’s possession and return any unused, expired, or damaged product to VDH.
Medetomidine Test Strips for Harm Reduction
Medetomidine test strips have recently been added to our inventory and can be ordered the same way you currently order naloxone and supplies.
Medetomidine is a potent, non‑opioid sedative that is increasingly appearing in the illegal drug supply and has been linked to overdose deaths. In humans, it can slow brain activity and breathing, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and cause prolonged sedation. These test strips detect only medetomidine and do not identify other substances. Because medetomidine is not an opioid, it does not respond to naloxone.
Coming Soon!
Upcoming Shipping Blackout Period
The VDH Central Pharmacy will complete our annual pharmacy inventory in late June, during which time we will observe a temporary shipping blackout period. No orders will be processed or shipped during this time, so we encourage partners to review upcoming needs and place any essential orders in advance to ensure uninterrupted access to naloxone and supplies.
Additionally, the Central Pharmacy will soon be relocating from our location in downtown Richmond to a new space in Henrico County, VA. We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition and settle into our new space!
Confirmed blackout dates for ordering and distribution will be confirmed as we get closer to these activities, and we will update partners with additional information as it becomes available.
New Expanded Access Module and Unified Registration Form
VDH is expanding the Pharmacy Partner Hub to include a new module for the Expanded Access branch of the program. This update will allow partners to access both their High‑Impact (no‑cost) and Expanded Access (at‑cost) accounts within the same platform. It also introduces a unified registration form which allows prospective partners to apply for multiple agreement types at once!
We expect these enhancements to go live early next week. For questions about your account or agreement, contact opioidreversal@vdh.virginia.gov.
Naloxone Carrying Cases
VDH recently received a donation of naloxone carrying cases in a variety of colors and styles. These items will soon be available in the Pharmacy Partner Hub for any interested partners! Orders for these carrying cases will be filled on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. More information will be shared via email when these cases become available.
National Fentanyl Awareness Day
As you are aware, The No-Cost Naloxone Distribution Program limits naloxone distribution to individuals who are at high risk for witnessing and/or experiencing opioid overdose.
In observance of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, which falls on April 29, VDH is temporarily lifting this restriction. Partners that currently distribute naloxone to the public may expand distribution of naloxone, harm reduction test strips, and supplies to the general public for events related to fentanyl awareness.
These orders must be placed by end of day on Thursday, April 30. Please provide a brief description of your events or activities if you are ordering more than 100 kits of naloxone and/or 500 test strips.
We would love to hear about your naloxone distribution activities! Please share any event updates, including pictures, with us at opioidreversal@vdh.virginia.gov.
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Naloxone Distribution Program Office Hours
The Naloxone Distribution Program hosts a monthly office hours session that all partners and prospective partners are welcome to attend. During these office hours, Program staff will be available to answer questions and provide guidance about the Naloxone Distribution Program and the Pharmacy Partner Hub.
The next office hour will be held Thursday, April 30th from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
If you are interested in attending, please save the details below to your calendar:
Meeting ID: 245 107 689 770 87
Phone conference ID: 340 989 813#
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No-Cost Naloxone Program Distribution Data – State Fiscal Year 2026
VDH shipped nearly 46,000 naloxone kits to partners in Quarter 3 of State Fiscal Year 2026 (January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026).
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We want to hear from you!
If you have questions or feedback, please contact the Naloxone Distribution Team.
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