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Preliminary evidence of health care provider support for naloxone prescription as overdose fatality prevention strategy in New York City

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Abstract

Preliminary research suggests that naloxone (Narcan), a short-acting opiate antagonist, could be provided by prescription or distribution to heroin users to reduce the likelihood of fatality from overdose. We conducted a random postal survey of 1.100 prescription-authorized health care providers in New York City to determine willingness to prescribe naloxone to patients at risk of an opiate overdose. Among 363 nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants responding, 33,4% would consider prescribing naloxone, and 29.4% were unsure. This preliminary study suggests that a substantial number of New York City health care providers would prescribe naloxone for opiate overdose prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies at the New York academy of Medicine, 255 Lincoln Way, 94122, San Francisco, CA

    Phillip O. Coffin MIA, Crystal Fuller, Liza Vadnai, Shannon Blaney, Sandro Galea & David Vlahov

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  1. Phillip O. Coffin MIA
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  2. Crystal Fuller
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  3. Liza Vadnai
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  4. Shannon Blaney
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  5. Sandro Galea
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  6. David Vlahov
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Correspondence to Phillip O. Coffin MIA.

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Coffin, P.O., Fuller, C., Vadnai, L. et al. Preliminary evidence of health care provider support for naloxone prescription as overdose fatality prevention strategy in New York City. J Urban Health 80, 288–290 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1093/jurban/jtg031

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jurban/jtg031

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