Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County improves the availability of opioid antidote to prevent drug deaths
In Finland, each year, a large number of substance abusers, particularly young ones, die from opioid overdose. Overdose deaths can be prevented by methods proven to be effective, one of which is substance abuse patients’ better access to opioid antidote naloxone.
From now on, patients of mental health and substance abuse services in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County can receive a prescription for naloxone spray in situations where employees and a physician have assessed that the patient is at risk of overdose due to their substance use.
In case of overdose, antidote naloxone is administered as nasal spray
Naloxone preparation Ventizolve is a nasal spray used as first aid in an opioid overdose or possible overdose for adults. Symptoms of overdose include difficulties breathing, sleepiness, and unresponsiveness to loud sounds or touch. The antidote is intended as first aid and has a short-term effect. In case of overdose, you must always also call emergency number 112.
You should keep the medicine with you and tell your close ones about it, as in overdose situations the person is unable to administer the medicine themselves.
How do I get a naloxone prescription?
You can ask our healthcare staff for a prescription whenever you’re using mental health and substance abuse services, for example at health counselling units or during an appointment. The medicine is retrieved from a pharmacy using the prescription. The price of the medicine is EUR 54.94. The patient can pay for the medicine themselves or apply for supplementary social assistance for a current basic social assistance.
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