Calif. Bill Would Increase Access to Drug Used To Treat Overdoses of Morphine, Oxycodone

A bill (AB 1535) being considered by the California Legislature would increase the availability of naloxone, a drug that commonly is used to reverse respiratory depression caused by overdosing on painkillers, such as morphine and oxycodone. The bill, which was introduced by Assembly member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), would make the drug available without a prescription at pharmacies in the state.

• "Life-Saving Overdose Antidote May Become Easy To Buy" (Gutierrez, San Francisco Chronicle, 4/14).