HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday he plans to expand access to a prescription drug that can prevent overdose fatalities by having the state’s physician general in effect issue a statewide prescription that would allow any Pennsylvanian to obtain the antidote directly from pharmacies.

Wolf said he has directed state Physician General Dr. Rachel Levin to write a “standing order” that serves as a prescription for naloxone for any Pennsylvanian who wants it.

“In general, this would mean that individuals would not need to go to their health care provider for a prescription,” said the spokesman Jeffrey Sheridan.

Wolf’s announcement in an op-ed piece published by PennLive.com drew praise from a national group working to reduce overdose deaths and other drug-related problems.

Daniel Raymond, the policy director of the Harm Reduction Coalition in New York, hailed the Pennsylvania plan as a model for the nearly 30 states that have naloxone programs.

“It’s a bold leadership move,” Raymond said. “Ultimately, it’s going to save lives.”

Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a non-narcotic, non-addictive drug that reverses the effect of heroin and other opioids like oxycodone. A bill passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed into law last fall by Gov. Tom Corbett allows police to legally administer the drug and lets physicians prescribe it to relatives and friends of drug users.

Raymond said Massachusetts uses statewide standing orders signed by a doctor to authorize naloxone distribution, but also requires it be provided by an overdose prevention trainer.

“In Pennsylvania, I think they’re removing a lot of bureaucratic barriers,” he said.