Position statement on access to take-home naloxone supplies

APTUK position statement on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announcement of plans to expand access to take-home naloxone supplies

The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK), as the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians welcome the positive outcome of the DHSC consultation supporting the expansion of access to take-home naloxone supplies.

There were two proposed routes for this expansion:

Route 1 – through named services and professionals.

Route 2 – registration with a naloxone supply network co-ordinator.

Pharmacy technicians as registered, autonomous pharmacy professionals have been recognised and included in route 1. This is an enabling legislation amendment and in this specialised, valued area of healthcare, pharmacy technicians will continue to complete professional development relevant for their area of practice and role. It is noted that there are proposed mandatory training requirements for new services and professionals taking on this role. This will include underpinning knowledge regarding appropriate practices for storing and supplying naloxone, and how to support a person being supplied with naloxone. Route 2 outlines a new registration service to support professionals and organisations not named in the legislation to supply naloxone.

This is an amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and will support patient safety with the intention of reducing opioid-related deaths, which make up the largest proportion of drug-misuse deaths across the UK. Pharmacy technicians have the skills and ability required to support patient safety and person-centred care within this expanded scope of practice.