TOPEKA, Kan. — A state law going into effect on July 1, 2017, will allow pharmacists to provide a life-saving medication, called an emergency opioid antagonist, to patients, first responders, school nurses, and bystanders without a prescription.

Anyone receiving the medication from a pharmacist will have to first go through a consultation designed to educate them on how to identify someone experiencing an overdose, how to administer the medication, and will ask them to call 911 to get Emergency Medical Services to the person experiencing the overdose as soon as possible.