Study results raise concern about naloxone efficacy against some synthetic opioids Researchers have warned that a single dose of naloxone is “unlikely to serve as an adequate countermeasure” to high-dose synthetic opioids.…
Community pharmacies urged to plan ahead for Easter bank holidays with methadone safety resources The Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group resources have been developed to offer support for community pharmacy teams before, during and after bank holidays, when opening hours may differ and other commissioned services may close.…
London’s first drug-checking service could expand to more cities Under the drug-checking service, users can submit substances for testing and will subsequently receive “anonymous, non-judgemental chat”, alongside tailored harm reduction advice.…
Government pledges support for more safer drug consumption facilities in ten-year alcohol and drug strategy The Scottish government's alcohol and drugs strategic plan for 2026–2035 also sets out plans to further expand the distribution of naloxone, including through community pharmacies.…
Drug consumption room pilot records more than 1,000 injecting episodes in a month According to latest service data on The Thistle, a drug consumption facility in Glasgow, 560 people used the site's services more than 10,000 times in 2025.…
Government to consult on widening access to take-home naloxone ‘before year end’ In December 2024, UK law was amended to make it legal for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide take-home naloxone kits without a prescription in an effort to widen access.…
How to implement a naloxone supply approach in hospitals An overview of how the distribution of naloxone in hospitals can be implemented to reduce drug-related deaths and overdoses in vulnerable communities.…
PJ view: The government’s approach to illegal street drugs should focus on treatment and prevention While the first drug-checking service has now been approved in Scotland, where the only safe drug consumption room is located, the government has reiterated that there are no plans to expand these across the UK.…
First street drug-checking service approved in Scotland Users of the service — to open at the site where ‘The Thistle’ drug consumption room is located — will be able to submit drugs for testing and receive harm-reduction advice alongside the results.…
Drug-related deaths in Scotland at lowest level since 2017 National Records of Scotland data show that 1,017 people died from drug misuse during 2024.…
