Pharmacists in Maryland will be able to distribute the heroin overdose antidote to trained individuals without prescriptions. 

Under new orders naloxone (also known as Narcan) a drug that counters a heroin or opioid overdose, will be able to be obtained at Maryland pharmacies by properly trained and certified individuals without a prescription.

As reported in The Washington Post:

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued an order Monday authorizing pharmacists to dispense naloxone to thousands of individuals who have been trained and certified through the state’s Overdose Response Program.

The department said it would fax the directive and guidance materials to every pharmacy in the state.

…

The department said it was authorized to issue the order under a Good Samaritan measure that passed this year and was signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan (R). The law provides immunity to individuals who try to assist overdose victims. It also allows physicians, specialized nurses, dentists and other health-care providers to prescribe naloxone to individuals who they believe might be in a position to assist someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

For more information read the full article in The Washington Post and additional coverage in The Capital Gazette.