Emergency Provision of Naloxone

Service specification (what it is, how it works)

Emergency Provision of Naloxone refers to making naloxone—a life-saving opioid overdose antidote—available quickly in situations where someone is experiencing or at risk of an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, reversing respiratory depression caused by opioids like heroin, methadone, morphine, fentanyl, and similar drugs. It acts rapidly and is short-acting, buying time for emergency services to arrive. [gov.uk]

How It Works in Pharmacy Settings

Community pharmacies in the UK now play a key role in naloxone provision under recent legislative changes:

1. Legal Framework

  • Naloxone is a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM), but exemptions under the Human Medicines Regulations allow trained professionals—including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians—to supply it without a prescription for emergency use or as “take-home naloxone” (THN). [gov.uk], [pharmacyma…zine.co.uk]
  • This change came into effect in December 2024, enabling pharmacies to provide naloxone kits to people at risk of overdose or those likely to witness one. [pharmacyma…zine.co.uk]

2. Pharmacy Roles

  • Emergency Supply Service: Pharmacies hold naloxone on-site for immediate administration during an overdose (e.g., nasal spray or injectable forms). [cps.scot]
  • Take-Home Naloxone (THN): Pharmacies can supply kits to individuals at risk, their families, or carers. [waythrough.org.uk]
  • Training: Staff must complete competency training (often via e-learning modules like NES TURAS in Scotland) before supplying or administering naloxone. [cps.scot]

3. Products Commonly Used

  • Prenoxad® (injectable, first-line option)
  • Nyxoid® (nasal spray)
  • Naloxone nasal spray “pebble” (newer option) [cps.scot]

4. Practical Steps in Pharmacies

  • Identify individuals at risk (opioid users, recently released from prison, high-dose opioid patients).
  • Provide brief training on administration.
  • Record supply for monitoring and governance purposes. [gov.uk]

Resources

NHS Highland and national Scottish services provide several resources and toolkits for emergency naloxone provision:

1. Highland Substance Awareness Toolkit

  • This is an online resource commissioned by the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP) and NHS Highland.
  • It includes harm reduction materials, guidance for professionals, and links to naloxone-related resources.
  • Designed for young people, parents, carers, and professionals, it offers lesson plans, policy guidance, and practical advice on substance use and overdose prevention.
    Access the toolkit here. [highlandsu…cot.nhs.uk]

2. Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service (HADASS)

  • Provides naloxone training and supply, overdose prevention advice, and harm reduction services.
  • Drop-in sessions are available in Inverness for naloxone kits and training.
  • Contact: 01463 717 594 or visit NHS Highland HADASS page. [nhshighlan…cot.nhs.uk]

3. HOPE App (Highland Overdose Prevention & Engagement)

4. National Naloxone Programme Scotland

  • Public Health Scotland monitors naloxone distribution and provides official guidance.

Useful documents (claim forms etc)

There are claim forms and processes for naloxone supply and reimbursement, but they differ depending on whether you are:

1. Community Pharmacy Claim Process (Emergency Naloxone Service)

  • Pharmacies in NHS Highland use the UCF module on the PMR system to claim for:
  • Emergency Naloxone – Administered
  • Emergency Naloxone – Expired

2. Naloxone Kit Reimbursement Form (National)