Question: Can giving Norcan/Noloxone to patients with a certain dosage of opioids be reported as community benefit?
Recommendation: Routine prescribing and distribution of Norcan/Noloxone has become a standard of care and should not be reported as community benefit. Free prescriptions for patients who meet the organization's financial assistance policy can be reported as community benefit/financial assistance.
The following activities related to treating opioid addiction can be reported as community health improvement:
- Training speakers and speaking to community members on opioid addiction and how to use naloxone
- Distribution of kits (not related to specific patients)
- Participating in community events about opioid addiction, other substance abuse, and treatments
- Contributions and costs of participating in government and other organization coalitions concerned with addressing opioid addiction.
(August 2019)