Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

651. To ask the Minister for Health if she will examine the current regulatory status of naloxone and consider allowing approved formulations to be made available over-the-counter in order to improve timely access to this emergency medication, in line with international practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64949/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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

Under existing legislation, naloxone can be prescribed to an individual by their doctor, however it can also be supplied under certain conditions without a prescription for the purposes of administration by appropriately trained individuals in emergency situations.

The regulations provide for the supply and administration of naloxone, without a prescription, by an individual appointed by a listed organisation, for the purpose of saving life or reducing severe distress in emergency situations, where that individual has successfully completed an approved training course on the administration of such medicines and on the management of any adverse reaction.

The regulations also provide for the creation of a list of organisations that may procure naloxone without a prescription for supply and administration in an emergency by trained persons in the organisation. For context, ‘listed organisation’ means an organisation or emergency rescue organisation listed in the list of organisations maintained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

The HPRA website provides detailed information on emergency medicines, including what they are, who can use them, and how they are regulated. This can be found at the following link . The HPRA may be contacted directly for further guidance on emergency medicines.

There are therefore no legislative restrictions on organisations applying to the HPRA to become a ‘listed organisation’, including An Garda Síochána, The Irish Prison Service, private, public, NGO’s, voluntary and charitable organisations.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

652. To ask the Minister for Health the current supply pathways through which community and voluntary organisations can access and distribute naloxone; if consideration is being given to expanding these pathways to reduce delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64953/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Naloxone services, including training, are part of an integrated approach to reducing drug harm under the National Drugs Strategy. In 2024, the HSE supplied 6,944 units of naloxone to services nationwide and trained 2,330 people in overdose awareness and naloxone administration in collaboration with community partners.

Promotion by service providers to encourage uptake of existing training and roll out of existing mechanisms and initiatives on naloxone access is resulting in greater awareness and availability of naloxone in the community.

Under existing legislation, naloxone can be prescribed to an individual by their doctor, however it can also be supplied under certain conditions without a prescription for the purposes of administration by appropriately trained individuals in emergency situations.

The regulations provide for the supply and administration of naloxone, without a prescription, by an individual appointed by a listed organisation, for the purpose of saving life or reducing severe distress in emergency situations, where that individual has successfully completed an approved training course on the administration of such medicines and on the management of any adverse reaction.

The regulations also provide for the creation of a list of organisations that may procure naloxone without a prescription for supply and administration in an emergency by trained persons in the organisation. For context, ‘listed organisation’ means an organisation or emergency rescue organisation listed in the list of organisations maintained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

The HPRA website provides detailed information on emergency medicines, including what they are, who can use them, and how they are regulated. This can be found at the following link . The HPRA may be contacted directly for further guidance on emergency medicines.

There are therefore no legislative restrictions on organisations applying to the HPRA to become a ‘listed organisation’, including An Garda Síochána, The Irish Prison Service, private, public, NGO’s, voluntary and charitable organisations.