Legislative changes to widen access to naloxone

Following a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Human Medicines Regulations (2012) (HMR) have been changed to widen access to naloxone. These changes come into force today (2 December 2024).

Existing exemptions in the HMRs allow drug treatment services to supply naloxone for future use (‘take home’ naloxone) to those who need it, without a prescription. This exemption has been expanded to include:

• Medical services of the armed forces
• Police forces, including drug treatment workers commissioned to work in these settings
• Prison staff
• Probation officers
• Registered midwives
• Registered nurses
• Registered pharmacy professionals
• Registered paramedics.

It is important to note that these new powers are enabling, and not mandatory. The intention of these changes is to provide an opportunity for provision, based on local need. Whether services take up this new power will be subject to local decisions and funding.

Services listed in the legislation will be able to provide take home naloxone from 2 December 2024, should they wish to. Services and organisations in scope should establish their position on naloxone provision and, where necessary, purchase supplies of naloxone and ensure staff have undertaken the appropriate training.

Where services do choose to use this new power, operational guidance on providing take home naloxone is available here. This guidance will be updated over the coming months to reflect the legislative changes and any additional helpful information not currently in the guidance.

Further information can be found in the following Statutory Instrument 2024 No. 1125.