Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 57
57
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 206
Establish a national naloxone programme in England and rapidly expand provision to at-risk groups.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government establish a national naloxone programme in England to bring it in line with the devolved nations. We also recommend that the Government speed up its work on expanding the provision of naloxone following the UK-wide consultation in 2021. Expanding provision must include any service and person who may come into contact with people who are likely to suffer an opioid- related overdose. In particular, we think that community pharmacists and peer-to- peer programmes are well-positioned in their local areas to supply, distribute and administer this life saving treatment. It must also include enhanced distribution of naloxone to prison leavers.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepted, explaining that naloxone provision is already supported by local public health grants and £1.6 million from the SSMTR Grant. OHID is developing legislative changes to broaden supply, and work is underway with HMPPS to increase availability, including for prison leavers.
Paragraph Reference:
206
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. The provision of naloxone is already included in the majority of local authorities’ public health grant spend. In addition, the expansion of naloxone is currently supported through the SSMTR Grant, which has supported the expansion of naloxone availability and use across England through £1.6 million in additional funding. OHID is in the process of developing legislative changes to enable more services to supply naloxone without a prescription, further updates will be available soon. We are working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service to implement the availability of naloxone in all community contact centres. In 2020/21, of all the people treated for opioid use in prison, 46% were provided with a naloxone kit on release.