NEWS
PHARMACISTS WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPLY NALOXONE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION
Pharmacists will soon be able to supply naloxone without a prescription, following new government legislation. In Scotland, a national naloxone service means all community pharmacies now hold an emergency supply of naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
In a landmark move aimed at combating the opioid crisis, the government has announced its intention to update legislation to allow 'pharmacy professionals' to supply naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, without the need for a prescription. This change is set to be implemented 'over the course of this year'.
The decision follows a consultation process that received ‘overwhelming support’. This update to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 will expand the list of services and professionals permitted to supply naloxone without a prescription.
Currently, only drug and alcohol treatment services can supply naloxone to individuals at risk of overdose.
The new legislation will extend this ability to: • Medical services of the armed forces • Police forces, including drug treatment workers commissioned to work in these settings
• Prison staff • Probation officers • Registered midwives • Registered nurses
• Registered pharmacy professionals • Registered paramedics
These professionals will be allowed, but not required, to supply naloxone. To ensure the safe and effective distribution of naloxone, new services and professionals will be required to complete mandatory training. This training will cover the storage and supply of naloxone and how to support individuals being supplied with the medication.
The government aims to make take-home naloxone more accessible to people at risk of an overdose and those who know someone at risk. By broadening the range of professionals who can supply naloxone, the government hopes to make this life-saving medication more readily available, thereby saving lives.
The consultation outcomes highlight the overwhelming support for expanding naloxone access. There is a strong consensus among respondents from various sectors and organisations that wider access to naloxone is crucial for reducing overdose deaths.
The UK Government, along with devolved administrations, is committed to enacting these legislative changes within the year, pending parliamentary scrutiny in the UK Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Throughout this process, extensive consultation and engagement have taken place across the UK, and this will continue during the implementation and delivery phase of the proposals.
SCOTLAND ISSUES ALERT ON XYLAZINE IN DRUG SUPPLY
Scotland’s drug harms early warning system has issued an urgent alert for the substance xylazine, increasingly detected in overdoses and fatalities across the country.
Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer primarily used in veterinary medicine as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and painkiller. It poses significant health risks by reducing breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Drug users may unknowingly consume xylazine, as it is often found as an adulterant in brown powders sold as heroin.
In the UK, xylazine has also been detected in counterfeit opioid painkillers such as codeine and tramadol, as well as in liquids sold as THC (a psychoactive component of cannabis) vapes.
The alert, issued by Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) and led by Public Health Scotland, underscores the increasing toxicity and unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply, which now includes a rising number of synthetic drugs.
Recent RADAR data indicates a troubling trend: nitazenes, new synthetic opioids first identified in Scotland in early 2022, were detected in 12 post-mortem toxicology reports between October 1 and
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December 31, 2023. Xylazine was found in five deaths during the same period.
Dr. Tara Shivaji, Consultant at Public Health Scotland, expressed deep concern, “We are very concerned about the emergence of synthetic drugs like xylazine and nitazenes within the unregulated drugs market across Scotland. These drugs pose a significant and increased risk of harm to people who use drugs.
“Many overdoses involve the use of multiple drugs simultaneously. Xylazine has largely been identified alongside other substances, including heroin. Therefore, it is crucial for those likely to witness an overdose to carry naloxone—a medicine that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose.
“Xylazine use is associated with severe wounds and skin damage, appearing as spots, blisters, or open sores anywhere on the body. These wounds require prompt medical attention to prevent serious infections.”
Public Health Scotland urges drug users and those around them to stay vigilant and be aware of the signs of overdose and the dangers posed by xylazine and other synthetic drugs.
Carrying naloxone and seeking immediate medical attention for any wounds can save lives and prevent severe complications.
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