The Australian Government is investing $10 million in a take home naloxone (THN) pilot in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be injected or delivered through a nasal spray. Currently, naloxone is available in all states and territories with a prescription, or over the counter from a pharmacy for a fee.
From today, people who may be at risk of an opioid overdose, or are likely to witness an overdose, can be provided with free and easy access to naloxone. Each participating state will identify where naloxone will be available, with sites including community and hospital-based pharmacies, alcohol and drug treatment centres, needle and syringe programs or other agreed non-pharmacy settings.
The THN pilot will be delivered in conjunction with the various THN programs currently operating in the participating states and provides a great opportunity to increase access to naloxone for people at risk.
Payments will be made to participating sites by the Pharmacy Programs Administrator. All eligible pharmacies that have an existing PPA Portal account have been provided with program registration information. More information about program registration and claiming can be found here.