Quick and easy 24/7 access to life-saving opioid overdose medicine is now available through a dispensing machine at Primary Care Connect in Shepparton.
Primary Care Connect executive manager of health services Leigh Stanbrook said the machine had seen a strong uptake since its installation a week and a half ago.
About 25 packages were dispensed to the public in the machine’s first three days of operation.
Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, buying valuable time for emergency services to be called.
The medication is non-addictive, non-intoxicating and can be administered by anyone, with no need for medical training.
Primary Care Connect said it is effective for overdoses involving heroin, fentanyl, morphine and other opioids, and is available as a nasal spray.
“Naloxone is available at many pharmacies and here through our Harm Reduction Program,” Mr Stanbrook said.
“The benefit of having the machine is that it’s now accessible 24/7.”
He urged residents not to wait for an emergency before obtaining naloxone.
“You may never use it, or you may have to use it next week. Either way, there are so many benefits to having it on hand.”
Mr Stanbrook said opioid overdoses had been identified as a concern across Victoria.
The machine is part of the Victorian Government’s statewide naloxone dispensing machine trial, which aims to expand free access to the medication across the state.
Primary Care Connect chief executive Trish Quibell said increasing access to naloxone was an important step in preventing avoidable overdose deaths.
“Every life matters,” she said.
“Having free naloxone available 24 hours a day means people can access this potentially life-saving medication whenever they need it.
“Overdose can happen unexpectedly, whether through illicit opioids or prescription opioid medications.
“Making naloxone easier to access helps ensure our community is better prepared to respond in an emergency.”
The dispensing machine is located at the rear of Primary Care Connect at 399 Wyndham St and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information, call 5823 3200 or visit Better Health Victoria’s free naloxone information page.
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