Ireland: Public consultation on easier access to ‘rescue’ drugs in emergencies
Varadkar: public consultation on easier access to ‘rescue’ drugs in emergencies
To include epipens, Adrenaline, salbutamol, glucagon, naloxone and glyceryl trinitrate
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has launched a consultation process on whether to make a number of prescription-only medicines used in emergency situations more widely available, including epipens and used to treat allergic shock.
The medicines in question are:
- Adrenaline auto-injectors (for treatment of anaphylaxis/allergic shock)
- Salbutamol (treatment of asthma attacks and COPD)
- Glucagon (treatment of diabetic hypoglycaemia)
- Naloxone (treatment of opioid overdose like heroin)
- Glyceryl trinitrate (treatment of unstable angina)
The Department of Health consultation process will gather views on whether the existing prescription-only arrangements for these medicines should be improved or relaxed. These medicines can potentially save lives in emergency situations, but they could be dangerous if used in the wrong circumstances or without training.
The consultation process will also consider whether non-medical people should have ready access to prescription-only medicines for use in emergency situations, while ensuring that medicines continue to be controlled in an appropriate manner. The HSE is already preparing a pilot project for this year to make naloxone available to family members, friends and support staff of registered heroin users.
The consultation will examine ways to improve public awareness of the potentially life threatening medical conditions, and the medicines used to treat them.
“These rescue medicines can mean the difference between life and death if they are used in the right way, at the right time. However, they can also cause harm if used without proper training, or in the wrong circumstances.
I look forward to receiving a wide range of views on this hugely important initiative, which has the potential to save lives. I hope to make a policy decision and implement it this calendar year’
The Consultation Process:
This consultation is available on the Department of Health website from 20/02/2015 and responses to the questions and/or submissions are invited from all interested parties.
Everyone is welcome to respond. We hope to hear from members of the public, patients, patients’ representative groups, carers, voluntary organisations, healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, healthcare professionals’ representative bodies and regulators.
Find the consultation process here
Closing date for submissions is 13th March 2015.