COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) has signed a bill into law expanding availability of a drug overdose antidote used across the state to save addicts on the brink of death.

The bill signed Thursday would let doctors authorize individuals to hand out a drug overdose antidote to addicts, their friends and family members without requiring a prescription. It would let pharmacies distribute the drug naloxone without a prescription if a doctor’s rules are followed.

The measure also relaxes requirements for how quickly someone administering the drug has to call 911, allowing for it to be done as soon as is practical instead of requiring it immediately before or after.

The legislation was sponsored by Reps. Robert Sprague of Findlay and Jeff Rezabek of suburban Dayton.