1. Naloxone, a life saving overdose reversal drug is currently only on prescription in Ireland.
2. It comes in a nasal spray form and when given during an overdose can reverse the effects and restore breathing, giving more time for medical intervention.
3. Naloxone has saved over 26,500 lives in US alone from 1996 to 2014 (NIDA, 2019) with that number climbing globally year on year.
4. Making Naloxone available for purchase over the counter in pharmacies would give anyone who wants or needs to buy it the access to without unnecessary restrictions and would no doubt more lives during this current opioid epidemic.
5. Naloxone is extremely safe  to carry as it does no harm when given to a person who does not have opioids in their system.
6. Sign this petition to call on our government to reclassify naloxone as an over the counter product as every life that can be saved, should be saved.

Naloxone (referred mainly as Narcan in the United States) is a life saving nasal spray or injection, known as an opioid antagonist, that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. When administered during an overdose, naloxone works by quickly displacing opioids from receptor sites in the brain, temporarily removing the depressive effects on the respiratory system and allowing normal breathing to resume. This essential intervention can be the difference between life and death, providing a crucial window of time for medical help to arrive.

Naloxone is currently only available on prescription as a nasal spray in Ireland. It is incredibly safe as it will not affect someone who does not have opioids in their system thus, harmless to carry and have in an at-home first aid kit for example.

Current Accessibility Issues: In Ireland, naloxone is currently available only by prescription, which restricts access to those who urgently need it in a crisis situation or to anyone who wishes to carry it to help others. This limitation is a significant barrier, particularly for individuals who are struggling with opioid dependency and are at a high risk of overdose or know someone who is. It is not straightforward to receive this prescription and with little information available on how to access the training courses being offered by the HSE to acquire this prescription, it is near to impossible to have access to this extremely important medication.

Why It Matters: The opioid crisis does not discriminate, affecting individuals and families across various socio-economic groups throughout Ireland. With the rise in opioid use and related deaths, naloxone should be as accessible as possible to prevent fatal overdoses. Making naloxone available over the counter would empower friends, family members, and bystanders to act effectively during an overdose emergency.

Statistics 

• From 1996 to 2014, Naloxone has saved over 26,500 lives in the United States alone (CDC).
• It been credited for saving multiple lives in Cork and Dublin. On average in Ireland, one person dies of a drug overdose everyday (Drugs.ie).
• Other people were reported to have been present for 64% of overdoses. The average number of people present was 2.7 (Drugs.ie).
• In Ireland between 2018 and 2020, it was reported that naloxone was administered to 569 people. Of these, 98% survived the overdose, with 9 deaths (National Drugs Library).

This petition calls on the Irish government and relevant health authorities to reclassify naloxone as an over-the-counter medication. We urge policymakers to recognise the public health benefits of making naloxone accessible without a prescription, thereby aligning with global standards and the practices of countries that have successfully reduced opioid-related fatalities through similar measures. Those who wish to buy it should be able to buy it.

Your Support Is Crucial: Every signature on this petition is vital. By signing, you are supporting a change that will increase the availability of a critical emergency medication and ultimately, contribute to saving more lives in this country where opioid overdoses are only on the rise due to dangerous new synthetic opioids mixed with heroin.

Join Us in Making a Difference: Help us make naloxone readily available to anyone who might need it, because a life-saving medication should be available to anyone who wants or needs to carry it. Together, we can create a safer Ireland for all.

For more information, visit www.NaloxoneIreland.ie

Also please, no need to donate, your signature is more than enough!