The UK Government, together with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Department of Health (Northern Ireland), has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the law.
Drug-related deaths in the UK are at historically high levels, with opioid overdoses forming the largest proportion of deaths. Naloxone is proven to save lives when administered promptly during an overdose — yet current rules restrict who can supply it for future use and where it can be made available.
The consultation seeks views on three major proposals that could directly affect the availability of naloxone across the UK by:
- Expanding the list of services and professionals able to supply naloxone without a prescription — for example hostels, day centres and outreach services working with people experiencing homelessness.
- Clarify legal provisions so organisations whose employees who may encounter accidental opioid exposure (for example needle stick injuries) can hold naloxone for emergency use.
- Enable publicly accessible naloxone, similar to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), through locked-box models in public spaces.
These changes could mean naloxone becomes far more reachable — both for emergency use and for people to carry themselves — when minutes can make the difference between life and death. This idea could transform how communities respond to opioid overdoses.
The consultation asks for evidence, insight, and experience:
- If you work with people at risk of overdose (e.g. healthcare, social services, housing, policing), your professional perspective can help refine practical proposals and training needs.
- If you have been personally affected by opioid use or overdose — either as someone who uses opioids, a family member or friend — your experiences can highlight real-world barriers to naloxone access.
The Government has published the consultation document and questions online, and responses are accepted through a structured questionnaire. GOV.UK
The feedback will directly inform the draft legislation that will be debated in Parliament and in the Northern Ireland Assembly, affecting how naloxone is regulated and distributed with guidance issued in each of the 4 nations to support professionals and services to make use of the proposed changes. The consultation is open for 10 weeks and will close on 9 March 2026
If you would like to find out more about naloxone, please see our free emodule
Other News & Events