Health chiefs are hoping to expand a scheme to give patients at risk an overdose training and equipment to help deal with it, Tynwald has heard.

In 2016 the government’s drug and alcohol team introduced a programme of take-home naloxone (THN) training.

Staff and patients were trained to recognise and to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose.

A pilot study ran over 12 months, ending in October 2017, revealed 87 kits were issued and 74 people completed the training.

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’During the study period, there were six cases where a naloxone kit was used to reverse the effects of overdose, with evidence of people having used the skills they had learned during the training to save a life.’

He said the programme had been ’well embraced’ by staff in the drug and alcohol and prison healthcare teams.

Since the initial programme began, a further initiative was launched to offer THN training and naloxone kits to high-risk opioid users while they are on the waiting list, prior to assessment and treatment.

From the start of April, 50 patients have received training and support.

Mr Ashford added: ’In terms of extending the remit and availability of the THN training, the department is currently reviewing the Medicines Act with a view to proposing amendments that will enable any registered practitioner to undertake the training and therefore provide kits in the community.

’It is envisaged that this will support the initiative to roll out the scheme to the pharmacies and pharmacists participating in the needle exchange programme.’