The current Statewide Naloxone Standing Order for Pharmacists expires on July 31, 2025. The new standing order will take effect on August 1, 2025. ForwardHealth encourages pharmacy providers to complete pharmacy re-enrollment as soon as possible to ensure all forms of naloxone remain widely accessible.
Unlike previous standing orders, the new 2025 version will remain in effect unless the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) withdraws or changes this order. Once pharmacies re-enroll in the new standing order, they will not need to annually re-enroll, which should reduce the barriers for pharmacists to dispense naloxone.
New training is not required, but re-enrollment is mandatory. If a pharmacy fails to renew, staff pharmacists who previously dispensed naloxone under the standing order will no longer be able to dispense the drug without a prescription.
Pharmacy providers who used the previous standing order must re-enroll before August 1, 2025, to prevent any lapse in coverage. (Note: If pharmacy providers are unsure if they have the current standing order, they should check their standing order for the August 1, 2025, effective date).
Per Wis. Stat. § 448.037, the standing order authorizes:
The standing order covers select naloxone products and may not align with ForwardHealth’s naloxone coverage for members. Pharmacy providers should refer to the Drug Search Tool for drug coverage information. All products available in the drug search tool are available for coverage for ForwardHealth members with a prescription from an enrolled Medicaid provider.
Refer to the Dose of Reality: Resources for Professionals article on the DHS website for more information on the standing order.
Pharmacy providers can send questions about the standing order to dhsopioids@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
ForwardHealth appreciates providers’ participation in the standing order and their continued service to Wisconsin residents.
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