Expansion of naloxone immunity clears first round

A measure that would broaden legal immunity to those prescribing, dispensing or administering medications that rapidly reverse an opioid overdose advanced from the first round of debate Feb. 26.

Currently, Nebraska law provides such immunity only for the use of naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan.

Under LB195, introduced by Pender Sen. Glen Meyer, the term naloxone would be replaced in state law with the broader language of “opioid overdose reversal medication,” allowing generic versions to be prescribed, dispensed and administered with legal immunity.

Meyer said additional medications for opioid overdose have become available due to recent market expansion. Broadening state law to allow the use of generic and alternative opioid reversal medications will help save more lives, he said.

“This change in the statutory language will allow in Nebraska wider, less expensive and more efficient access to lifesaving drugs that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” Meyer said.

Lawmakers voted 43-0 to adopt a Judiciary Committee amendment that would expand the bill’s immunity provisions to also include over-the-counter opioid reversal medications.

Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, committee chairperson, said the change would ensure greater access to life-saving medication.

“The goal here is to provide a broader umbrella of individuals who can obtain … these medications so that we can save as many lives as possible,” she said.

Lawmakers also adopted a technical amendment to the committee amendment offered by Bosn, and voted 44-0 to advance LB195 to select file.