Opioid overdose reversal medications, such as Narcan, Naloxone, and Evzio, can be administered to an individual experiencing an opioid overdose to rapidly restore normal breathing.  Opioid overdose reversal medication is defined as any drug used to reverse an opioid overdose that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors.  The Secretary of Health is authorized to issue a standing order for opioid reversal medication to any person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose or any person or entity in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose.  Prescribers and dispensers are authorized to provide opioid overdose reversal medication pursuant to the standing order or a collaborative drug therapy agreement to any person at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose or to any person in a position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose.

Prior to 2022, hospital emergency departments were authorized to allow practitioners to prescribe and for practitioners and registered nurses to distribute prepackaged opioid overdose reversal medication upon discharge if the practitioner determined the patient was at risk of an opioid overdose.  
 
Beginning January 1, 2022, hospitals are required to provide a person who presents to an emergency department with symptoms of opioid overdose, opioid use disorder, or other adverse event related to opioid use with opioid overdose reversal medication (medication) upon discharge, unless the treating practitioner determines that dispensing or distributing the medication is not appropriate or the practitioner confirms the patient already has the medication.  If the hospital dispenses or distributes the medication, it must provide directions for use and information about the medication, harm reduction strategies, and what services may be available.  A practitioner, defined as a person authorized in Washington to prescribe prescription drugs, in a hospital emergency department must dispense or distribute opioid overdose reversal medication in compliance with these requirements.  This requirement only applies to practitioners and no longer authorizes registered nurses to distribute the medication.

Registered and licensed practical nurses must dispense or distribute opioid overdose reversal medication to the same extent as practitioners in compliance with requirements for hospital emergency departments to dispense or distribute opioid overdose reversal medications to certain patients.