Medicines

The draft statutory instrument will amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. It also updates references following the dissolution of Public Health England and the Health and Social Care Board. The legislation aims to save lives by allowing more services and professionals to provide take-home supplies of naloxone.

The draft regulations will expand access to naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opiate intoxication or overdose. It aims to save lives by allowing more healthcare professionals and services to provide take-home supplies of naloxone. The previous Government worked on expanding access in 2015 and 2019, followed by Dame Carol Black's independent review recommending further expansion.

Welcomes the motion to expand access to naloxone, emphasising its life-saving potential and ease of use. He highlights the importance of training and monitoring success while urging the government to consider further expansion based on evidence. The Liberal Democrats support this measure.

Supports the Minister's proposal, providing a Northern Ireland perspective and highlighting the rise in opioid-related deaths and homelessness. He emphasises the need for clear rules around storage and training and requests protection for public health staff administering naloxone.

Welcomes the changes but calls for closer and continuous review of regulations to widen access further based on evidence. She suggests making naloxone pharmacy-available, potentially expanding access to various groups such as student welfare workers, night-time venue staff, transport workers, street cleaners, and park workers.

Thanked the Minister for bringing the statutory instrument to the House and emphasised that naloxone is a lifesaving drug in reversing opioid overdose deaths, which now represent over half of all drug misuse fatalities in Northern Ireland. Supported the amendments proposed to increase services and professionals capable of supplying naloxone without prescription or written instruction based on previous support during his tenure as Minister of Health in Northern Ireland. Highlighted the positive feedback from a public consultation regarding these changes.

Stood in for the public health Minister and acknowledged broad agreement on the need for prevention measures across the House. Emphasised that training and data reporting requirements will be attached to this measure, including safe administration of naloxone, storage, and how to train others. Stressed the importance of reviewing the issue continuously and working with multiple Departments to take a preventive approach. Mentioned concerns about medical staff administering naloxone outside their job role.

Asked about ensuring that medical staff who have expertise in administering naloxone but do so outside of their employment are covered and will not face repercussions. This intervention was made after the main debate had concluded.

Made a point of order regarding his failure to declare his interest as a governor in two colleges affected by the previous week's answer on BTecs during questions to the Leader of the House.

Acknowledged and accepted Gareth Snell’s point of order regarding his financial interests, assuring that the record would be amended accordingly.