A new naloxone emergency supply service is to launch in Scottish pharmacies at the end of October, with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcoming the move as an “important step”.

The service, a new addition to the community pharmacy Public Health Service, will see pharmacies keep two kits of either nasal or injectable naloxone on the premises and administer them in case of a suspected opioid overdose. It replaces previous arrangements that did not apply to all pharmacies in Scotland.

“This will support a significant increase in access to naloxone so that it can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Community Pharmacy Scotland. “It once again sees community pharmacy at the heart of the community, delivering care for the citizens of Scotland.”

Contractors are asked to ensure their teams complete an e-learning module before the pharmacy offers the service; payments issued to pharmacies in May aimed at helping pharmacies meet training requirements and purchase two naloxone kits.

While the initial two kits are covered by the previous funding and will not be subject to reimbursement claims, contractors will be allowed to claim for any subsequent purchases.

Another arm of the service whereby pharmacies will issue take-home naloxone kits will be introduced in a “later phase,” said chief pharmacist Alison Strath said in a September 12 message to health boards.  

RPS Scotland director Laura Wilson said: “This new service is a really important step to support the role of community pharmacy teams in reducing harm and preventing drugs deaths.

“RPS has been calling on the Scottish Government to ensure naloxone is made available from every community pharmacy, and the announcement of this new national service for emergency stockholding is extremely welcome. 

“It is critical that pharmacy teams have time and space to undertake training to fully support them to deliver the service. 

“We stand ready to support the service in any way we can and look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government, including with the development of any additional policies which could be introduced to reduce harm and prevent drug deaths.”

A report issued on August 31 by the Home Affairs Committee called on the UK Government to widen access to naloxone in England through a national programme similar to the one being rolled out in Scotland and with community pharmacy as a central pillar. 

“In England, Wales and Northern Ireland we have heard that access to naloxone in community pharmacies is varied and limited,” said the cross-party report.