Notice of Consultation: Prescription Drug List (PDL): Naloxone Qualifier Change

January 24, 2017
Our file number: 17-100892-770

In 2016, Health Canada removed the prescription status of naloxone so that the public and emergency responders could quickly access and administer naloxone for emergency opioid overdoses, without a health professional’s oversight.

Stakeholders have contacted Health Canada to request clarity around who can administer naloxone and under what conditions/settings.

Non-prescription naloxone can be administered by anyone who witnesses an opioid overdose regardless of the setting. This will be clarified by revising naloxone’s Prescription Drug List (PDL) qualifier.

As such, “outside hospital settings” will be removed.

This Notice of Consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the proposal to revise the qualifier for Naloxone on the Prescription Drug List (PDL).

The proposed wording of naloxone’s PDL listing would be:

  • Drugs containing the following: Naloxone or its salts
  • Including (but not limited to): Naloxone hydrochloride
  • Qualifier: Except when indicated for emergency use for opioid overdose
  • Effective Date: TBD

How to get involved:

This consultation is open for comments until January 26, 2017. All comments will be reviewed and considered.

Please submit your comments via email or facsimile to:

The results of this consultation will be made publicly available.

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