Naloxone Pilot

Update: 2022-23 Federal Budget- National Take Home Naloxone Program
We are pleased to confirm the Australian Government’s commitment to a National Take Home Naloxone Program to be implemented in all Australian states and territories from 1 July 2022. Following the evidence based evaluation of the Pilot, the 2022-23 Federal Budget has seen the Government commit $19.6 million over 4 years from 2022-23. Naloxone will be available in all Australian states and territories at no cost and without a prescription to anyone who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. The Department of Health will be working with the PPA to support registration for all pharmacies to participate from the 1 July 2022 commencement date.
Further information will be provided in the near future.

In the Take Home Naloxone Pilot, the drug naloxone will be available free to people who are at risk of, or who may witness, an opioid overdose. Funded by the Australian Government, the pilot will run between 1 December 2019 and 30 June 2022, in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

The Australian Government is investing in a Take Home Naloxone (THN) pilot in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, which commenced on 1 December 2019. The Pilot has been extended until 30 June 2022 in these states.

Naloxone is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be injected or delivered through a nasal spray. In the THN pilot, naloxone (as either Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL), Naloxone Juno, Nyxoid, Prenoxad and Junalox) is available free to people who are at risk of, or who may witness, an opioid overdose. No prescription is required.

More information about the THN pilot, the drug naloxone – including how to access it –and opioid overdose can be found here.

The pilot is being evaluated by the Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland and is being administered by the Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA).

Each participating state (New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia) will identify where naloxone will be available as part of the pilot. Approved Providers under the pilot include community pharmacies, hospital-based pharmacies and approved medical practitioners, who are reimbursed for supplying naloxone under the pilot by the PPA.
Organisations such as alcohol and other drug treatment services, injecting centres, and homelessness/outreach services can also supply naloxone by first becoming an Authorised Alternative Supplier. Information about registering to become an Authorised Alternative Supplier can be found here.

Naloxone is provided to Authorised Alternative Suppliers by pharmaceutical wholesalers, s94 hospitals or the Western Australia Mental Health Commission, who are paid by the PPA.
Eligibility to take part in the THN pilot requires providers to meet a set of criteria, which are specific to each provider-type. Eligibility criteria can be found below.

Community (S90) and Hospital (S94) Pharmacies

To be eligible to participate in the THN pilot, and receive payments for naloxone supplied under the pilot, a community or hospital pharmacy must:

  • Be approved under sections 90 or 94 of the National Health Act 1953
  • Register for the THN pilot via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal
  • Confirm that it is registered for GST
  • Agree the pharmacy trading name and location may be listed on the Department of Health’s pilot website and/or provided to participating state health departments for communications relating to the pilot
  • Agree to provide services in accordance with the THN Pilot Guidelines, available from the Downloads section of this page.

Approved Medical Practitioners (S92)

To be eligible to participate in the THN pilot, and receive payments for naloxone supplied under the pilot, an approved medical practitioner (dispensing doctor) must:

  • Be approved under section 92 of the National Health Act 1953
  • Register for the THN pilot via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal
  • Confirm that they are registered for GST
  • Agree that their practice trading name and location may be listed on the Department of Health’s pilot website, and/or provided to participating state health departments for communications relating to the pilot
  • Agree to provide services in accordance with the THN Pilot Guidelines, available from the Downloads section of this page.

Authorised Alternative Suppliers

To be eligible to participate in the THN pilot, and supply naloxone under the pilot, an Approved Alternative Supplier must:

  • Be approved by the relevant State health authority to provide naloxone under the THN Pilot Program
  • Agree to provide services in accordance with the THN Pilot Guidelines, available from the Downloads section of this page.

AAS in NSW and SA are also required to Register for the THN pilot via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal and provide supply claim data directly to the PPA. 

Wholesalers 

To be eligible to participate in the THN pilot, and receive payments for naloxone supplied under the pilot, the wholesaler must:

  • Have an arrangement in place with a participating state health department to supply naloxone to Approved Alternative Suppliers under the THN Pilot Program
  • Register for the THN pilot via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal
  • Confirm that it is registered for GST
  • Agree to provide services in accordance with the Take Home Naloxone Pilot Guidelines, available from the Downloads section of this page.

Note: where costs are incurred associated with distribution from a wholesaler the arrangement and payment of these costs are the responsibility of the relevant state entering into the arrangement.

Western Australia Mental Health Commission (WA MHC) 

The WA MHC has an agreement with the Commonwealth Government to supply naloxone to AASs under the THN Pilot Program and has agreed to provide services in accordance with these THN Pilot Guidelines, including the collection of required bulk supply data.

Individuals receiving naloxone

Anyone in NSW, SA or WA is able to access free naloxone under the pilot.

Specifically, the pilot aims to make naloxone free and easily available for:

  • People who are at risk of an overdose, which includes illicit drug users and people who use prescription opioid medications
  • Carers, friends, family and community.

The Commonwealth Government will provide $3.9 million in 2021-22 to extend the Take Home Naloxone Program pilot in Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia until 30 June 2022.

In order to receive payments for naloxone supplied under the pilot, Approved Providers must submit eligible claims, subject to the below requirements. 

Community pharmacies (S90)

From 1 December 2019:

  • Naloxone (Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL), Naloxone Juno, Nyxoid and Prenoxad) can be dispensed from the pharmacy’s own stock to an individual, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit)
  • The pharmacy can then submit a claim for the supply of naloxone (including dispensing fees) through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal.

The pharmacy must provide the following information via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal, in order to claim a payment:

  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied (maximum of two)
  • Staff designation (e.g. Pharmacist, Social Worker)

In addition, from 27 August 2020, the above also applies to the brand Junalox.

Hospital pharmacies (S94)

Two models of supply will operate for hospitals:

  • Individual supply arrangements, where naloxone is provided to an individual in a hospital setting
  • Bulk supply arrangements, where the hospital will act as a ‘wholesaler’ and supply to AAS sites.

The type of supply arrangements each hospital can participate in will vary according to the State they are located in.

Individual supply

In all States, from 1 December 2019:

  • Naloxone (Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL), Naloxone Juno, Nyxoid and Prenoxad) can be dispensed from the pharmacy’s own stock to an individual, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit).
  • The pharmacy can submit claims for the supply of naloxone (including dispensing fees) through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal

The pharmacy must provide the following information via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal, in order to claim a payment:

  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied (maximum of two)
  • Staff designation (e.g. Pharmacist, Social Worker)

In addition, from 27 August 2020, the above also applies to the brand Junalox.

Bulk supply

In some instances, hospitals may act as ‘wholesalers’ for the purposes of the THN Pilot Program and supply bulk quantities of naloxone to AAS in both New South Wales and South Australia.

  • In NSW, public hospital pharmacies can bulk supply naloxone to Government Organisations that are Authorised Approved Suppliers (GO AAS) in the THN pilot
  • In SA, after reaching agreement with SA Health, hospital pharmacies can supply AAS.
  • Pharmacies can submit claims for payment for the bulk supply of naloxone to GO AAS, through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal .

In order for a Hospital pharmacy to be paid under the THN Pilot, the following information is required:

  • Name of AAS the naloxone was supplied to
  • Address of AAS the naloxone was supplied to
  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied.

Approved Medical Practitioners (S92)

From 1 December 2019:

  • Naloxone (Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL), Naloxone Juno, Nyxoid and Prenoxad) can be supplied by an approved medical practitioner to an individual, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit).
  • The approved medical practitioner can submit claims for the supply of naloxone through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal 

The approved medical practitioner must provide the following information via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal, in order to claim a payment:

  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied (maximum of two)
  • Staff designation (e.g. Pharmacist, Social Worker)

In addition, from 27 August 2020, the above also applies to the brand Junalox.

To register to claim for the program, please contact our Support Centre on 1800 951 285 or email support@ppaonline.com.au

Authorised Alternative Suppliers

New South Wales

From 1 December 2019  NSW AAS can supply naloxone to individuals, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit), where the following conditions are met:

  • Government Organisations that are Authorised Alternative Suppliers (GO AAS) and have an existing bulk supply arrangement with a public hospital pharmacy or;
  • Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) must have opened an account with a State government Commonwealth approved wholesaler

NSW AAS must record:

  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied (maximum of two)
  • Staff designation (e.g. Pharmacist, Social Worker)

South Australia

In South Australia, a small number of AASs will participate in the pilot, and will receive their naloxone via a bulk supply arrangement with an s94 private hospital pharmacy.

From 1 December 2019:

AASs that have an existing account with a hospital pharmacy for bulk supply, can supply naloxone to individuals, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit).

The AAS must record:

  • Date of naloxone supply
  • Formulations and quantities of naloxone supplied (maximum of two)
  • Staff designation (e.g. Pharmacist, Social Worker)

Western Australia

  • Authorised Alternative Suppliers (AAS) can dispense naloxone to individuals, under the THN pilot (maximum of two supplies of naloxone per visit)
    • Naloxone stock will first need to be ordered from the Western Australia Mental Health Commission (WA MHC).

Information about supply data collection processes will be provided by the WA MHC.

Wholesalers

Wholesalers with an agreement with a participating state health department can supply bulk quantities of naloxone to Non-Government Organisations that are NGO AAS in the THN pilot.

·        Wholesalers can register in the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal and submit invoices for payments relating to the supply of naloxone to NGO AAS, under the THN pilot

Invoices can also be submitted via the portal or via email to support@ppaonline.com.au 

Payments relating to the supply of naloxone under the THN pilot will be made in accordance with Approved Provider-type (and supply type, where applicable) and will have GST added. The payment rates applied will be the rate current as at the date of Naloxone supply. For previous rates please see the Program Guidelines.

Community pharmacies (s90)

Product Individual supply (ex GST) 
Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)  $49.02
Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)  $36.05
Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)  $39.25
Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $39.25
Junalox (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)
 $39.25

 

Hospital pharmacies (s94)

Public hospitals

Product Individual supply (ex GST)  Bulk supply (ex GST)
Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)  $36.94 $34.36
Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)  $23.97 $22.29
Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)  $27.17 $25.27
Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $27.17 $25.27
Junalox (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $27.17 $25.27

Private hospitals

Product Individual supply (ex GST)  Bulk supply (ex GST)
Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)  $45.24 $34.36
Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)  $32.09 $22.29
Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)  $35.33 $25.27
Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $35.33 $25.27
Junalox (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $35.33 $25.27

 

Approved Medical Practitioners (s92)

Product Individual supply (ex GST) 
Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)  $49.02
Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)  $36.05
Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)  $39.25
Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $39.25
Junalox (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $39.25

 

WA MHC and Wholesalers

Product Bulk supply
(ex GST) 
Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)  $34.36
Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe) $22.29
Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)  $25.27
Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules) $25.27
Junalox (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)
 $25.27

 

Take Home Naloxone Pilot FAQ

  1. The states participating in the pilot are New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

  2. The following types of naloxone are included in the pilot:

    Nyxoid  (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)

    Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)

    Naloxone Juno  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)

    Naloxone Hydrochloride (DBL)  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5 x 1 mL ampoules)

    Junalox  (naloxone hydrochloride 400 microgram/mL injection, 5×1 mL ampoules)

  3. If you are an S90 or S94 pharmacy or approved medical practitioner you will need to order stock through your normal wholesaler/s.

    Any stock given out as part of the pilot can then be claimed for payment via the PPA Portal.

    AAS ordering mechanisms depend on the State you are located in, please contact your relevant State health body.

  4. You can provide a participant with a maximum of two times the PBS maximum quantity of product per visit.  This may be two units of the same product or one unit of two different products.  For example:

    2 x Nyxoid (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation)

    OR

    1 x Nyxoid (naloxone 1.8 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2×1 actuation) and
    1 x Prenoxad  (naloxone hydrochloride 1 mg/mL injection, 2 mL syringe)

  5. No. You may provide naloxone to anyone who is at risk of an overdose. You may also give naloxone to anyone who may be a witness to an overdose (this includes carers, friends, family and community members).

  6. Yes this is fine. There is no limit to the number of visits a participant can make to pick up naloxone.

    Each visit however, must be entered as a separate individual supply claim in the PPA portal.

  7. The selection should be based on your conversation with the individual.  It is also fine to supply one unit of two different products (for example one unit of Nyxoid and one unit of Prenoxad).

  8. No. If you dispense a prescription for naloxone you cannot also then claim through the THN Pilot for providing the stock. You also cannot charge the individual any other fees.

    Audit and compliance activities may be undertaken to ensure stock claimed through the PBS is not double claimed through the PPA portal.

  9. Supply fees differ depending on your organisation type and which naloxone product/s you have supplied. You cannot charge the participant any additional fees on top of the THN pilot remuneration.

    Please refer to the Payments section of this page for this information.

  10. An individual claim is made when naloxone has been given directly to a participant (i.e a person at risk of experiencing or witnessing an opioid overdose).

    Please see Pilot Guidelines for further information on the organisations who can submit this claim type.

  11. A bulk claim is made when naloxone stock has been provided to an Authorised Alternative Supplier (AAS).

    Please see Pilot Guidelines for further information on the organisations who can submit this claim type.

  12. No, you will not receive payment for giving out naloxone to pilot participants. You are however, required to enter supply claim data in order to participate in the Take Home Naloxone Pilot.

  13. As of 1 July 2021, the collection of evaluation data is no longer required. The information that was collected in each claim form will used by the University of Queensland Institute for Social Science Research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilot and will contribute to decisions related to a national program rollout.

  14. Only doctors that are approved to dispense pharmaceutical benefits under section 92 of the National Health Act 1953 can participate in the THN pilot. These doctors are usually located in very remote locations that have no local pharmacy or access to a pharmacist. Almost all medical practitioners are therefore not approved under section 92 and so can’t directly supply naloxone and claim for reimbursement under the THN pilot. They can however, refer their patients to their local participating community, hospital pharmacy or other participating service.

  15. Please contact the PPA Support Centre to advise that your pharmacy no longer wishes to participate in the pilot. The PPA can cancel your registration for the pilot on the PPA Portal – noting that further claims cannot be submitted after cancellation. Your State Health Department will then be able to remove you from their list of participating pharmacies. If your pharmacy decides in future they would like to once again participate, you can re-register for the pilot on the PPA Portal. 

  16. The pilot commenced on 1 December 2019 and will finish on 30 June 2022.

Take Home Naloxone Pilot Program Resources

A leaflet for Patients who may require Naloxone can be found here.

A Naloxone poster for pharmacists can be found here. 

A short Naloxone information video for pharmacists who dispense prescription opioids can be found here.


Back to top link

Back to top