Pharmacy Daily | Victoria to broaden naloxone access

LEGISLATION put to the Victorian Legislative Assembly last week is set to widen the authorisations to supply hypodermic needles and supply, possess and administer naloxone.

Presenting the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2020, Victorian Health Minister, Michael Foley, said the legislation would facilitate peer-to-peer distribution of needles obtained from authorised Victorian Needle and Syringe Programs (VNSPs) and anti-overdose treatment, naloxone, which is available at no cost to drug users through the Naloxone Subsidy Initiative.

Foley said that while uptake of naloxone in the state had increased significantly since Nov 2018, when VNPSs become "the front door for access", with at least 900 reported uses of the drug to reverse overdoses, the rate of people who go to a pharmacy to access naloxone after visiting a needle and syringe program can be a low as 50%.

"Evidence from consumers, service providers, health professionals and researchers tell us strongly that naloxone needs to be accessible in a more diverse range of settings and that peer distribution is vital to maximise reach to those most vulnerable or isolated," he said.

"While pharmacy access remains essential, it is important to broaden access points because people who use opioids are often reluctant or unable to engage with primary healthcare to discuss or manage their opioid use.

"The Government also committed to enhancing the role of peers in naloxone programs.

"Again---given naloxone's life-saving properties and negligible risk of misuse---the government is open to considering allowing naloxone, once it has been supplied, to be subsequently distributed by any person to any other person.

"This would allow peers to be actively involved in the distribution chain in order to get naloxone into the hands of the people most in need---but least able---to obtain it.

"To achieve these objectives, the Bill will create a new power in the [Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances] Act [1981] enabling regulations to be made regarding the classes of people authorised to supply, possess, administer and use naloxone, in addition to currently approved suppliers such as pharmacies."