25. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health to outline, given the record numbers of drug deaths in Ireland, the work undertaken within his Department to deregulate the use of Naloxone in order to reduce drug deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/24]

Minister of State at the Department of Health: The Health Research Board has reported that 354 drug-induced deaths were recorded in 2021. This is 85 fewer deaths than in 2020, a reduction of 20 per cent.

Opioids are responsible for 7 in 10 deaths in 2021 and continue to play a major role in drug poisoning deaths. Naloxone is a lifesaving drug that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is subject to prescription controls and is included in a schedule of medications that can be supplied and administered in emergency situations by individuals in a wide range of organisations.

The Department of Health works closely with the HSE National Naloxone Oversight Quality Assurance Group, to increase awareness and accessibility of naloxone. It is important that naloxone is made more accessible to support workers, peers, and family members.

The introduction of the Medicinal products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulation S.I. No. 238 – 2023, in May 2023, allowed the Health Service Executive to approve courses for persons who may supply and administer naloxone in an emergency.

In 2023 of over 2,000 people participated in Overdose Awareness and Naloxone Administration training.

Over six and a half thousand units of naloxone were supplied by the HSE to services in 2023 and over four thousand units were supplied by the end of July this year.

Pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training can already administer naloxone for opioid overdoses. The HSE and the pharmacy regulator have recently taken steps to make the training more accessible for pharmacists.

I acknowledge the loss and grief felt by families by the death of a loved one due to drug poisoning. I welcome the reduction in the number of drug-induced deaths and want to acknowledge the contribution of drug services to this outcome. I am committed to expanding the Naloxone Programme in order to further mitigate the risk of drug overdose deaths linked with opioid use.