30 October 2019 - A new nasal spray form of naloxone, a life-saving medicine used to treat narcotic overdoses, will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from next month.

Until now, naloxone, which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by blocking drugs such as heroin and oxycodone, had to be injected.

More than 110,000 Australians are currently battling opioid dependence, with nearly 150 people admitted to hospital daily. Of the 1740 drug-induced deaths last year, opioid drugs contributed to 1123, or three a day.

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