As Mental Health Week approaches, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Queensland Branch) and the Queensland Mental Health Commission are encouraging local pharmacies and community members to take advantage of the national Take Home Naloxone Program.
Naloxone can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and is available as a nasal spray and an injectable. The national Take Home Naloxone Program aims to increase access to this potentially life-saving medicine across Australia by making it available for free without a prescription.
The program provides individuals, families, friends, and community members with the ability to respond quickly to opioid overdose and potentially save a life.
Registered pharmacist Emily Turkovic is passionate about increasing the awareness of Take Home Naloxone having lost her brother, Isaac to an accidental overdose three years ago. Ms Turkovic said that there are still major misconceptions in the community about opioid emergencies and a lack of awareness of naloxone and that it can be accessed for free.
Community members can find pharmacies and organisations that registered to supply Take Home Naloxone here - Where to Access Take Home Naloxone (THN) - Pharmacy Programs Administrator (ppaonline.com.au).
To become an approved provider of Take Home Naloxone, pharmacies can register via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal - Pharmacy Programs Administrator - Home (ppaonline.com.au).
Information about Take Home Naloxone, including a range of resources, tools and short videos can be found here - https://insight.qld.edu.au/toolkits/take-home-naloxone/detail#section-resources.
Health professionals who would like clinical advice can contact the Alcohol and Drug Clinical Advisory Service (ADCAS) on 1800 290 928.
Community members who would like to speak with someone about alcohol and other drugs concerns can contact Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833.
Quotes attributable to Take Home Naloxone advocate and pharmacist Emily Turkovic:
“My brother lost his life to an accidental overdose. If there was access to Take Home Naloxone he may be here today. Every Australian has the potential to save someone’s life, it could be your friend, neighbour, a stranger or even your brother.
“One life lost to a reversible opioid emergency is one too many.
“Let’s help break the stigma of opioid overdoses by educating patients that it can happen to anyone, at any time and that having access to Naloxone can help save lives.”
Quotes attributable to Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen:
"Naloxone is safe, easy for anyone to use, and can save a life.
"It has no effect if opioids are not present in the body. We encourage all community members, not just those who use opioids, to obtain naloxone and learn how to administer it.
"For pharmacies, signing up to the program is straightforward, and for community members, families, and friends of people who use opioids, we encourage you to carry naloxone.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Mental Health Commission, Commissioner, Ivan Frkovic:
“Think of naloxone like an EpiPen, it is life saving.
“Take Home Naloxone is an essential tool in preventing overdose in Queensland.
“Overdose prevention is a priority for the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
“We’re happy to see many pharmacies already registered to supply Take Home Naloxone, and encourage community members to speak with their local pharmacy about access.”
