Section 21a-286 - Agreements for distribution and administration of opioid antagonists. Secure boxes, vending machines and secured machines. Test strips. Regulations(a) For the purposes of this section: (1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Consumer Protection;(2) "Department" means the Department of Consumer Protection;(3) "Host agency" means a community health organization, emergency medical service provider, government agency, law enforcement agency or local or regional board of education;(4) "Opioid antagonist" has the same meaning set forth in section 17a-714a;(5) "Prescribing practitioner" has the same meaning set forth in section 20-14c;(6) "Pharmacist" has the same meaning set forth in section 20-609a;(7) "Secure box" means a container that (A) is securely affixed in a public location, (B) can be accessed by individuals for public use, (C) is temperature controlled or stored in an environment with temperature controls, (D) is tamper-resistant, (E) is equipped with an alarm capable of detecting and transmitting a signal when accessed by individuals, and (F) is equipped with an alarm capable of alerting first responders when accessed by individuals, unless equipping the container with such an alarm is commercially impracticable;(8) "Secured machine" means a device that (A) restricts access to individuals participating in a syringe services program by utilizing a designated access number, personalized magnetic strip card or any other technology to identify such individuals for the purpose of providing access, and (B) is registered with the department in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner; and(9) "Syringe services program" means a program that is (A) established or authorized pursuant to section 19a-124, and (B) approved by the department under section 21a-65.(b) A prescribing practitioner, or a pharmacist who is certified to prescribe an opioid antagonist pursuant to section 20-633c, may enter into an agreement with a host agency related to the distribution and administration of an opioid antagonist for the reversal of an opioid overdose. The prescribing practitioner or pharmacist shall provide training to persons who will distribute or administer the opioid antagonist pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Persons other than the prescribing practitioner or pharmacist shall receive training in the distribution or administration of opioid antagonists prior to distributing or administering an opioid antagonist. The agreement shall address the storage, handling, labeling, recalls and recordkeeping of opioid antagonists by the host agency that is party to the agreement.(c)(1) A prescribing practitioner, or a pharmacist who is certified to prescribe an opioid antagonist pursuant to section 20-633c, may enter into an agreement with a host agency to provide an intranasally or orally administered opioid antagonist, or permit a host agency to install on the host agency's premises a secure box containing an intranasally or orally administered opioid antagonist. The agreement shall address the environmental controls necessary to store such opioid antagonist, establish procedures for replenishment of such opioid antagonist, establish a process for monitoring the expiration dates of such opioid antagonist and disposing of any expired opioid antagonist, and require that signs be posted disclosing the presence of such opioid antagonist, and usage directions for such opioid antagonist, in the language or languages spoken in the community in which the secure box is installed. The secure box shall not contain an amount of the opioid antagonist that is greater than the amount necessary to serve the community in which such secure box is installed. If the host agency is unable to maintain the secure box, or the supplies necessary to maintain the secure box are unavailable, such host agency shall remove such secure box, and all signs required under this subdivision concerning such secure box, as soon as practicable but in no event later than five days after such host agency discovers that such host agency is unable to maintain such secure box or the supplies necessary to maintain such secure box.(2) A prescribing practitioner, or a pharmacist who is certified to prescribe an opioid antagonist pursuant to section 20-633c, may enter into an agreement with a host agency to operate a vending machine for the purpose of distributing an opioid antagonist for nasal administration. The vending machine shall be in a location that maintains a temperature that is at all times consistent with the manufacturer's package insert for the opioid antagonist, or have the ability to maintain an environment, independent of the external environment, that is appropriate for the opioid antagonist based on such package insert. The following shall be clearly and conspicuously displayed on the outside of the vending machine, adjacent to the vending machine or upon distribution of an opioid antagonist contained in such vending machine: (A) Information concerning the signs and symptoms of an overdose;(B) instructions for the use of the opioid antagonist;(C) information about the services that are offered in this state to treat opioid use disorder; and(D) an Internet web site address that contains, or a quick response code that directs an individual to an Internet web site that contains, information concerning the signs and symptoms of an overdose, overdose response and instructions for the use of the opioid antagonist.(3) Nothing in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be construed to prohibit placement of an opioid antagonist in a container that also includes an automated external defibrillator or any other product used to treat a medical emergency.(d) A prescribing practitioner, or a pharmacist who is certified to prescribe an opioid antagonist pursuant to section 20-633c, may enter into an agreement with a syringe services program to permit the syringe services program to include an opioid antagonist in such syringe services program's secured machine. The agreement shall address the environmental controls necessary to store such opioid antagonist, establish procedures for replenishment of such opioid antagonist, establish a process for monitoring the expiration dates of such opioid antagonist and disposing of any expired opioid antagonist, and require that signs be posted disclosing the presence of such opioid antagonist, and usage directions for such opioid antagonist, in the language or languages spoken in the community in which such secured machine is installed.(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a secured machine from distributing a test strip intended for use by an individual prior to injection, inhalation or ingestion of a particular substance to prevent accidental overdose by injection, inhalation or ingestion of such substance.(f) A prescribing practitioner or pharmacist who enters into an agreement pursuant to subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall not be liable for damages in a civil action or subject to administrative or criminal prosecution for the administration or dispensing of an opioid antagonist by the host agency who is a party to such agreement.(g) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-286
Amended by P.A. 23-0052, S. 12 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 6/13/2023.Amended by P.A. 22-0080, S. 8 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2022 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by P.A. 18-0166, S. 3 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2018 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2018.