This week  sees the launch of a national Naloxone Service from community pharmacies across Scotland.

Through this service, community pharmacies hold a supply of naloxone kits for access in an emergency. This will support a significant increase in the availability of naloxone so that it can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Each pharmacy will hold two kits.

Matt Barclay, incoming chief executive at Community Pharmacy Scotland , said: “CPS is pleased to have community  pharmacy participating in delivering this key role to support a reduction in drug deaths across Scotland . It once again sees community pharmacy at the heart of the community, delivering care for the citizens of Scotland .” 

Community pharmacy contractors providing the service have to ensure that pharmacy teams complete an e-learning module for naloxone emergency supply, available on the NES TURAS Learn website. 

A Drug Death Taskforce report, published in July 2022, recommended that all community pharmacies should hold naloxone for administration in an emergency and should be able to supply take home naloxone (THN) to people who use drugs, families and anyone likely to witness an opioid overdose.

A Scottish Government NHS circular says that a Take Home Naloxone (THN) service via pharmacies will be follow later.

PMR suppliers have confirmed that pharmacy IT software will support pharmacy teams to deliver naloxone emergency supply from the launch date. A new universal claim framework (UCF) module will be available for claims when naloxone kits are supplied or expire.