WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded today’s announcement by the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, Marshall University School of Pharmacy, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and the Mayor’s Office of Drug Control Policy regarding the donation of 2,200 doses of naloxone to help prevent drug-related overdose deaths in the Huntington area.
“After hosting a drug prevention roundtable last month with Huntington Mayor Williams, local law enforcement officials, drug treatment providers and advocates, it was clear that Huntington’s efforts to stem the drug epidemic should serve as a model for other cities across America. Today’s announcement reinforces this fact. It is a testament to the initiative shown by the City of Huntington, Cabell County, Marshall University and other local groups who have come together to fight the drug crisis on all fronts,” said Senator Capito.
“I recently introduced the Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act, which urges physicians to co-prescribe naloxone alongside opioid prescriptions. With the highest rate of overdose deaths in the nation, we must increase access to medication that can save lives in West Virginia,” Capito continued.
The Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act will enable more health professionals to get naloxone, a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses, into the homes of people who are at-risk of overdose. The Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish physician education and co-prescribing guidelines for federal health settings, including VA hospitals, DoD hospitals, Indian health service facilities and Federally-Qualified Health Centers. Additionally, the bill would authorize a program to grant state Departments of Health funding that would help them establish co-prescribing guidelines, purchase naloxone, and fund training for health professionals and patients.
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