Naloxone Service

Anyone can administer Naloxone to save a life in an emergency. Additionally, legal exemptions allow pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to supply take-home naloxone without a prescription to reverse potential opiate overdoses.

People who use drugs do not always engage with Drug and Alcohol Services and community pharmacy therefore has a vital role in supporting these people.

The Naloxone Service is commissioned in some community pharmacies to help reduce the risk of drug-related deaths by providing supplies of “Take Home Naloxone” (THN) to people who may benefit from carrying it.

Leeds

The Naloxone Service in Leeds is commissioned by Waythrough. Pharmacies who provide Substance Misuse Services across Leeds are invited to provide this service which consists of 2 elements:

• • Take-Home Naloxone (THN): This will involve pharmacies providing naloxone (nasal and injectable) to people who use drugs who may be at risk of or witnessing an opioid overdose.
  • Emergency Naloxone Administration (ENAP): This will involve pharmacies holding a stock of nasal naloxone on site (supplied to trained pharmacy staff by Waythrough) to use in the case of an emergency.

The service is being conducted as part of a research initiative to assess its feasibility for long-term commissioning. It will operate for a 12-month period, with an initial evaluation after six months. The findings from this evaluation will help shape the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the potential full-scale implementation.

See the SLA below.

Leeds Pharmacy ENAP and THN SLA

Training – training for community pharmacies participating in the Naloxone Service/research will be provided as multiple live webinar sessions throughout April/May 2025 – see poster below.

Leeds Naloxone Training Poster – April/May

It is recommended that pharmacy staff attend one of these live webinars as there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Waythrough has also developed an online training package for staff to complete in their own time which can be accessed via the Waythrough website here. (Please note: this training is only for community pharmacies participating in the research).

For any queries about the Naloxone service in Leeds please contact Barbara Zub:

Email: Barbara.Zub@waythrough.org.uk

Tel: 07977 788 296

Claims are processed via PharmOutcomes by CPWY. Any queries about payment or the service template on PharmOutcomes should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Wakefield

The Naloxone Service in Wakefield is commissioned by Turning Point and is generally provided by pharmacies who deliver the Needle Syringe Programme although pharmacies can apply to provide the Naloxone service as a stand-alone service. See the service specification below:

Turning Point Service Specification: Naloxone Part B Generic

Wakefield Naloxone Example Pharmacy SOP

Wakefield Naloxone Quick Intervention Training for Community Pharmacy Teams

Service commissioner: Turning Point

Contact the Needle Exchange Pharmacy Coordinator on: 0300 123 1912

Claims are processed via PharmOutcomes by CPWY. Any queries about payment or the service template on PharmOutcomes should be directed to info@cpwy.org.

Last Updated: 17th April 2025