Emergent Recognizes Ontario’s Proposed Provincial Legislation to Increase Access to Naloxone in Public Spaces
At Emergent, we believe that increasing access to naloxone is critical in the fight against opioid poisoning deaths. We commend the introduction of Bill 121, the Save a Life Act (Naloxone Kit Registration and Public Access) in the Ontario Legislature, an important step toward strengthening public access to naloxone and helping to save lives across the province.
Opioid poisonings can occur anywhere including schools, community centres, sports facilities, transit hubs, workplaces, and other public gathering spaces. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid poisoning. By expanding availability and improving registration and tracking of publicly accessible naloxone kits, Bill 121 has the potential to empower more individuals, organizations and communities as the opioid crisis continues to have devastating effects on so many Ontarians.
“Every second counts in an opioid poisoning emergency,” said Danielle Portnik, vice president and general manager at Emergent. “By improving access to life-saving intranasal naloxone and enhancing awareness of where it can be found, Ontario has an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for individuals, families and communities across the province.”
These measures build upon Ontario’s existing approach to public emergency preparedness, including public access defibrillation programs supported through the Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act. Together, these measures will help ensure that life-saving tools are accessible in public spaces when they are needed most.
As discussions around the legislation continue, it is important to keep individuals, caregivers, first responders and others on the frontlines of the crisis aware, while also equipping communities with the tools needed to respond quickly and confidently during an opioid poisoning emergency. Expanding access to intranasal naloxone is one component of a broader public health response that can help support safer communities across Ontario.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how we help prepare communities around the world for today’s health challenges and tomorrow’s threats, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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