Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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801. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to expand access to naloxone for frontline health workers in order to help reduce drug deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15684/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The programme for government commits to ‘Increase the availability of naloxone and train relevant individuals on its use’.

Naloxone services including Naloxone training is part of an integrated approach to reducing drug harm under the National Drugs Strategy.

The Department of Health is working closely with the HSE National Naloxone Oversight Quality Assurance Group, to increase awareness and accessibility of naloxone. It’s important that this lifesaving medication is made more accessible to support workers, peers, and family members.

Investment in the naloxone programme is one of several initiatives funded to enhance access to and delivery of drug services all over Ireland, including the first ever funding for a national drug prevention and education programme.

Naloxone is not a controlled drug but is subject to prescription controls. It can be prescribed to an individual by their doctor. It is also included in a schedule of medication that can be supplied and administered in emergency situations by individuals in a wide range of organisations.

These organisations must be registered with the Health Products Regulatory Authority and have appropriately trained and named people in place who can administer the medication to individuals.

The training course must be one that is approved by either the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council or the Health Service Executive. It must cover the use of naloxone, the administration of it, the management of any immediate adverse reaction that may follow from such administration, and the storage and safe keeping of this medication.

Where naloxone is administered, follow up is crucial; while it can stop the most catastrophic effects of an opioid overdose, the person to whom it is administered must receive follow up medical attention.

There are no restrictions on the organisations that may take this activity up, providing they can meet the appropriate conditions.

Pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training can already administer naloxone for opioid overdoses. The HSE and the PSI (the pharmacy regulator) have recently taken steps to make the training more accessible for pharmacists.

In 2024, 1,758 people participated in this training.

6,944 units of naloxone were supplied by the HSE to services in 2024.

I am committed to supporting practical initiatives that help to save and improve the lives of those affected by drug use.