Published: 02/24/2026 | Author: Eric Owens

Chris Pielli is a State Representative for Chester County. He has put forward a legislative package aimed at reducing opioid addiction deaths in Pennsylvania caused by fentanyl overdoses.

His proposal calls for the allowance of over-the-counter availability of nalmefene. The FDA has approved the medication for reversing opioid overdoses.

Proposed Changes to Opioid Overdose Laws

Pielli’s House Bill 2181 would amend the state’s Controlled Substance Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to view nalmefene as an opioid antagonist that’s currently only available via prescription. 

A companion measure is House Bill 2182 that would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to label nalmefene as an opioid reversal agent that doesn’t need a prescription and can be bought without prescriptions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health currently only approves naloxone as an opioid antagonist, despite nalmefene earning FDA approval in 2023. Many others find refuge and peer support in Narcotics Anonymous (NA Meetings), though prevention and overdose reversal measures are still critical.

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania

The Keystone State is no stranger to the weight of the ongoing opioid crisis. Over 4,700 Pennsylvanians died from opioid-related overdoses in 2023, nearly 77% of whom succumbed to fentanyl. 

For Pielli, the General Assembly must continue to advance the latest advances in addiction medicine to overcome the high death toll. He describes naloxone as a crucial tool but emphasizes the need for more options as illicit drug markets evolve.

Nalmefene vs. Naloxone for Opioid Overdose

Naloxone and nalmefene are both opioid antagonists that block the effects of opioids and reverse the symptoms of overdose.

The major difference between the two is their half-life durations. This is how long it takes for the concentration of the medicine to drop below one half of the original levels in your bloodstream.

Naloxone has a half-life of 1-1.5 hours so its effects can start to wear off in that time. In contrast, nalmefene has a half-life of nearly 11 hours.

With illicit drugs like synthetic fentanyl constantly increasing in potency and duration, that extra time is vital for preventing secondary overdose after naloxone wears off.

Find Opioid Addiction Support Today

If you or someone you know is at-risk of an opioid overdose, any delay is too long. Call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) or find an NA meeting in Pennsylvania that can support you at no charge.