Emergency medicines
In 2015, Irish law was updated to allow certain medicines to be used to save a life or reduce distress in an emergency. These medicines are sometimes called 'emergency medicines'. This page provides information on emergency medicines, including what they are, who can use them, and how they are regulated.
What are emergency medicines?
In Irish law, there are six medicines that can be used to save a life or reduce distress in an emergency. Normally a patient would need a prescription to access these medicines. If procured as an emergency medicine, no prescription is needed. The below table includes the list of emergency medicines, along with details of when, on who, and how they can be used.
Emergency medicine | When can it be used? | Who can it be used on? | How is it used? |
---|---|---|---|
Epinephrine (adrenaline) pre-filled syringe | To treat anaphylactic shock | Adults and children | Injected into muscle |
Glucagon | To treat low blood sugar | Adults and children | Injected into muscle or under skin |
Glyceryl trinitrate | To treat severe chest pain | Adults | Sprayed under tongue |
Medical gas mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen | Pain relief in emergency rescue situations | Adults and children | Inhaled |
Naloxone hydrochloride pre-filled syringe or nasal spray | To treat drug overdose (opioid) | Adults and children | Injected into muscle (pre-filled syringe) or sprayed into nostril (nasal spray) |
Salbutamol 100 mcg | To treat an asthma attack | Adults and children | Inhaled |
Who can use emergency medicines?
Any person who uses an emergency medicine must be working with or engaged by the organisation where the emergency medicine is used. This includes volunteering. The person who uses the medicine does not need to be a medical professional. However, they must be trained in how to use the medicine safely and how to deal with side effects.
The types of organisations where an emergency medicine can be used are listed in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 (SI 449/2015)Opens in new window. Some examples include schools, sports clubs, workplaces, museums, supermarkets, places of worship, and airports.
Any organisation that wants to procure, store, and use an emergency medicine must register with the HPRA. The organisation will need to provide details of a person who will make sure the medicine is stored and used correctly. Find out more about how to register using the HPRA's Emergency Medicines Portal.
Who regulates emergency medicines?
The HPRA
The HPRA keeps a list of registered organisations. The list includes details of the emergency medicines that can be stored and used at each organisation.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
Pre-hospital emergency care is care provided by a trained person outside of a hospital setting. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) sets standards for training for pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland.
PHECC has made training and guidance that covers basic life support and use of emergency medicines. PHECC also approves institutions where this training can take place. A person who wants to use an emergency medicine must first complete training.
To learn more about PHECC's role in relation to emergency medicines, visit the PHECC's websiteOpens in new window. You can also read their helpful list of frequently asked questionsOpens in new window.
The Health Service Executive
The Health Service Executive (HSE) can approve courses for people who may use naloxone as an emergency medicine. More information about the HSE's naloxone training can be found on the HSE's websiteOpens in new window.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) regulates pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland.
The PSI has made training and guidance for pharmacists on the supply and use of emergency medicines. To learn more about the PSI's role in relation to emergency medicines, visit the PSI's websiteOpens in new window.
What is the legal basis for emergency medicines?
The legal basis for emergency medicines is included in the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (SI 540/2003), as amended. The Regulations were updated in 2015 to allow certain medicines to be used to save a life or reduce distress in an emergency. For further details of this update, see the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 (SI 449/2015)Opens in new window.
Since then, there have been a number of further updates to the Regulations, as follows:
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (SI 530/2018)Opens in new window. This update allows for the use of intranasal naloxone. Previously only injectable naloxone could be used as an emergency medicine.
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2023 (SI 238/2023)Opens in new window. This update allows for the HSE to approve training courses on the use of naloxone as an emergency medicine.
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2024 (SI 162/2024)Opens in new window. This update removes previous limitations on the strength of naloxone medicines that can be used as an emergency medicine.
More information about emergency medicines
Use the below links to find more information about:
- The HPRA's Emergency Medicines Portal
- The Emergency Medicines Register
- Details of how we process personal data relating to the Emergency Medicines Register
Side effects to emergency medicines
If you or someone in your care experience a side effect associated with use of an emergency medicine, you can report it to us. Details of how to report a side effect can be found on our 'Report an issue' page.