The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) has launched a consultation to “expand access” to naloxone – a “life-saving” medicine that is used to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose – without a prescription.
Launched earlier this week (December 29), the consultation proposes that naloxone be accessed in a “new way” by installing “publicly accessible emergency boxes”, similar to those containing defibrillator cabinets, in “high-risk locations” such as high streets and “near nightlife venues”.
Read more: Pharmacies set to supply take-home naloxone without a prescription
The DH will also consult on amending regulations to allow naloxone to be supplied to hostels, day centres and homeless outreach services as well as the Border Force, National Crime Agency (NCA) and testing facilities where employees may be at risk of “opioid contamination”, it said.
The consultation also proposes to remove the requirement for a pharmacist to “record the sale or supply” of a naloxone product, it added, explaining that this will bring pharmacists requirements in line with other providers.
According to the DH, this will “reduce the record-keeping burden” on pharmacists when supplying the medication without a prescription.
Remove access barriers
The UK-wide consultation will run for 10 weeks and applies to all devolved nations, the DH said, adding that the government aims to introduce the new legislation this year, subject to responses to the consultation and parliamentary approval.
Health minister Karin Smyth said the government wants to “remove the barriers which prevent naloxone reaching the people who need it most” when their life is “on the line”.
“That is why we are launching this consultation to change the regulations and make sure those coming in contact with opioids through their work – or members of the public faced with an emergency – can save a life,” she added.
Read more: Will expanding access to naloxone OTC be the right move?
It comes after pharmacies in Scotland were asked to ensure they have the “appropriate stock” of naloxone in March following an “increase in sudden collapse” due to overdoses.
Meanwhile, the government announced in May 2024 that it would give pharmacists and pharmacy technicians the power to supply naloxone for future use without a prescription.
The decision came after a consultation proposing wider access to naloxone was met with “overwhelming support”, the government said at the time.
