– The overdose-reversing drug naloxone saves lives. But the availability of this medicine in Sweden has been too low. Today, I am therefore extremely happy that naloxone will soon be able to be sold without a prescription in Swedish pharmacies. It will save lives, said Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD) on one press conference on Tuesday.
It concerns an application from a company to supply naloxone as a nasal spray for non-prescription sale in the country, which the Medical Products Agency has now agreed to. This should make Sweden one of the first countries in Europe where this is possible.
The Swedish Medicines Agency made a renewed legal assessment during the autumn. And following it, it has become clear that the legal prerequisites exist for over-the-counter sales. And such an application has been received, which has now been approved.
– Among other things, it will require that the person who buys naloxone nasal spray receives advice at the same time as buying, regarding what an opioid overdose looks like, as well as an instruction on how to give it, said Director General of the Medical Products Agency Björn Eriksson.
Jakob Forssmed told during the press conference that he himself saw to it that relevant pharmaceutical companies were reached by the information regarding the Swedish Medicines Agency’s decision, because the companies are based abroad.
When asked when the drug might be available without a prescription, Jakob Forssmed said that there is nothing to prevent it from happening before the summer.
In several parts of the country there are programs for naloxone, where people can get the drug free of charge or within the high-cost coverage. Jakob Forssmed stated that those opportunities will remain.
– This is regarding an expanded opportunity, not least for relatives or other people who are in these risk environments, but may not have their own addiction, said the Minister of Social Affairs.
The National Board of Health and Welfare has previously had a government mission to actively increase the availability of naloxone, which resulted in information material and knowledge support. It has also meant that naloxone is available in ambulances, Olivia Wigzell, director general at the National Board of Health and Welfare, told the press conference.
Last fall, the government’s special investigator Thomas Lindén, chief medical officer and head of department at the National Board of Health and Welfare, submitted the final report in the so-called drug investigation. It was initiated by the previous government in 2022, and it addressed, among other things, the importance of naloxone. When handing over to the current government, Jakob Forssmed also promised a particularly quick preparation of the issue.
Read also:
The Swedish Medicines Agency is swinging – naloxone can be sold without a prescription shortly
Thomas Lindén: That’s how drug-related mortality should decrease
The National Board of Health and Welfare: This is how naloxone will save more people from opioid overdoses
Fatal overdose often happened without someone close to intervene
Naloxone should become available to more people
Lakartidningen.se 2024-03-19
