When the program begins
There will be a staged approach to the roll out of the Take Home Naloxone program at a national level.
From 1 July 2022
-
all community pharmacies
-
hospital pharmacies
-
approved medical practitioners
Under the National Health Act 1953 in every state and territory will be eligible to register to participate in the Take Home Naloxone program.
Those currently registered and participating under the program in NSW, SA and WA will automatically transition to the national program on 1 July 2022.
From 1 November 2022
The ACT, NT, QLD, TAS and VIC will identify where naloxone will be available within their state.
Sites may include:
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alcohol and other drug treatment services
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needle and syringe programs
-
homelessness/outreach services in the ACT, NT, Qld, TAS and VIC
These services are considered Authorised Alternative Suppliers and must be approved by the relevant state authority.
All participating sites wishing to take part in the program will need to register to participate with the Pharmacy Programs Administrator.
Who can provide naloxone through the program
Pharmacies, doctors and hospital pharmacies.
You are eligible to provide naloxone through the national Take Home Naloxone program if you are:
-
a pharmacy or friendly society approved under section 90 of the National Health Act 1953
-
an approved medical practitioner under section 92 of the National Health Act 1953
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an approved hospital authority under section 94 of the National Health Act 1953
You must register to provide naloxone through the program with the Pharmacy Programs Administrator
Take Home Naloxone program administrator contact
Supplying naloxone outside the program
Naloxone is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) and is available as a General Schedule unrestricted PBS benefit. Pharmacies, doctors and hospital pharmacies in all states and territories can still supply naloxone if they don’t register for the program, to either:
-
someone with a prescription
-
over the counter from a pharmacy for a fee
The PBS outlines the fees for naloxone outside of the national program.
Other providers
Non-pharmacy settings can choose to participate in the program and supply naloxone. These settings may include
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a general practice
-
an alcohol or other drug treatment service
-
an injecting centre such as needle or syringe program
-
a homeless or outreach service
To take part in the program contact your participating state to register your interest to provide naloxone outside a pharmacy setting.
Ordering and claiming naloxone through the program
Pharmacies should order naloxone for the program using normal stock management processes.
If you are approved to provide naloxone outside a pharmacy setting by your state, ask your state contact about how to order it.
Depending on the product, naloxone has a shelf life of up to 3 years.
Pharmacists can claim the cost of naloxone supplied under the program through the THN program portal.
You must be registered as a provider to use the portal.
Supplying naloxone through the program
Who you can supply naloxone to
You can supply naloxone to anyone through the program. No prescription is needed.
How often you can supply naloxone
There is no limit on the number of times you can provide naloxone through the program.
How much naloxone you can supply
You can supply up to two times the PBS quantity of naloxone at any time.
This table shows how much naloxone you can supply, in which form.
|
Product |
Brand |
Quantity |
|---|---|---|
|
Prenoxad® pre-filled syringes |
Phebra |
2 |
|
Nyxoid® intranasal spray |
Mundipharma |
2 |
|
DBL naloxone hydrochloride ampoules |
Pfizer |
10 |
|
Naloxone hydrochloride ampoules |
Juno |
10 |
You can’t supply Narcan for prescriber bags under the program.
Naloxone supplied to someone under the program does not count towards their PBS Safety Net.
Submission of information on the program.
You must submit information for the supply of naloxone made through the program so you can claim the cost.
Get training or learn more about naloxone
Access training material and learn more about naloxone from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Learn more about the Take Home Naloxone program.