State Senate approves anti-heroin bill now headed for Gov. Walker's desk

MADISON — The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill designed to make an anti-heroin drug more readily available to people trained to use it.

The Senate on Friday approved the measure that would make clear that pharmacies can hand out a heroin overdose antidote under a doctor's standing order.

Under current law, doctors can give health centers, pharmacies and clinics general permission to dispense Narcan without specific prescriptions. But Attorney General Brad Schimel has raised concerns that it didn't trump state laws requiring prescriptions to include a recipient's name.

Bill sponsor Rep. John Nygren, of Marinette, says this will make it easier for loved ones to have Narcan on hand in case of an overdose.

The bill now goes to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration.