Naloxone Distribution Project
DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an extended shelf-life for the nasal spray formulation of naloxone (Narcan) from two years to three years.
The Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) is funded by SAMHSA and administered by DHCS to combat opioid overdose-related deaths throughout California. The NDP aims to address the opioid crisis by reducing opioid overdose deaths through the provision of free naloxone, in its nasal spray formulation. Since October 2018, the NDP has distributed over 600,000 units of naloxone, and recorded over 30,000 overdose reversals.
Please note the following changes to the NDP application process as of July 1, 2021:
1. Supplemental application materials (standing order, license, etc.) are valid for one year from your application date. Please reference the date of your last full application (with standing order, license, etc.) in your email.
- If you need to apply for more naloxone in the 12 months after your application and your standing order has not expired, you are only required to submit the NDP application pdf, along with information about any overdose reversals reported.
- If your standing order has expired since your last application, please include a copy of a valid standing order with your application.
- If this is your first application or if you have not applied within the last 12 months, please send in the full application package with all required materials.
2. If your organization has a high need for naloxone, consider the following options:
- You may apply for more than 2,400 naloxone units per application AND/OR
- You may set up recurring shipments of Naloxone for up to one year (for example, you will automatically receive 120 units every month).
If you would like to utilize one of these options, please email naloxone@dhcs.ca.gov with a justification for your unit request, including a detailed plan for distribution and tracking opioid overdose reversals. Applicants receiving recurring shipments of naloxone must report overdose reversals to naloxone@dhcs.ca.gov every month. Failure to regularly report overdose reversals may result in termination of your shipments. Please see the FAQ for further instructions on applying for recurring shipments.
3. If you need to place an urgent request for naloxone, please include “URGENT" in the subject line of your email. Include in the body of the email the date you need the naloxone by and a brief reason for your expedited request.
4. Hospitals are no longer required to submit an NDP Terms & Conditions form with their orders.
Access the NDP application form. Please review the below table and FAQs for any additional required materials for your organization.
All NDP applicants must submit a prescription or standing order for naloxone. If your organization does not have a standing order, one can be obtained from the California Department of Public Health's website. When you submit your request for a Standing Order to Dept. of Public Health (when you click the submit button) it generates a document that you have to save as a PDF or Word document on your desktop and then submit a copy to DHCS.
Eligible entities must submit the following materials for application approval:
| Organization Type | Required Materials |
- First responders, fire, EMS
- Law enforcement, courts, & criminal justice partners
- Community organizations, Harm reduction organizations, homeless programs, veteran organizations, religious organizations
- Schools, universities, libraries
- County public health or behavioral health agencies
| - Completed NDP application
- A copy of a naloxone standing order or physician's prescription.
- A copy of a valid and active business license, FEIN number or tax-exempt letter.
- Distribution plan (for orders over 48 units)
- Number of overdose reversals reported with naloxone received through NDP (for subsequent applications)
|
| Substance Use Recovery Facilities (inpatient, outpatient, residential, sober living homes) | - Completed NDP application
- A copy of a naloxone standing order or physician's prescription.
- A copy of a valid and active business license, FEIN number or tax-exempt letter.
- Copy of the program's DHCS license (if applicable)
- Policies and procedures for naloxone distribution, including:
- Separate storage of naloxone received through the program from other medications that may be billed to patient insurance;
- Inventory and tracking of naloxone received through the program;
- Distribution plan for naloxone received through the program
- Number of overdose reversals reported with naloxone received through NDP (for subsequent applications)
|
| Hospitals and Emergency Departments | - Completed NDP application
- A copy of a naloxone standing order or physician's prescription.
- A copy of a valid and active business license, FEIN number or tax-exempt letter.
- Policies and procedures for naloxone distribution
- Number of overdose reversals reported with naloxone received through NDP (for subsequent applications)
|
More questions? Refer to the NDP Information & FAQs
Please maintain detailed distribution logs and reversal reporting documentation – DHCS may require review of this additional information prior to approving subsequent applications. If applicable, provide your policies and procedures for storage, adequate staffing, details of distribution plans and reversal reporting to avoid delays in processing applications.
NDP Resources
NDP Overview
NDP Information & FAQs
Contact Us
Questions? Contact NDP Team by email: Naloxone@dhcs.ca.gov
