Researchers urge more Australian pharmacies to stock anti-opioid overdose drug naloxone

With unintentional opioid-related deaths nearly tripling nationally since 2006, experts are calling for greater awareness

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Just 60% of pharmacies stock naloxone, a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, as concerns grow about the danger posed by synthetic opioids.

A survey of 530 pharmacies across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, led by researchers from Monash University, found 321 pharmacies have naloxone in stock.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup