Almost 190 Australians are dying from drug overdoses each month - nearly twice the number of deaths on Australian roads. 

This statistic comes directly from the Penington Institute June 2025 Snapshot Report, also marking the 10th consecutive year in which Australia has recorded more than 2000 overdose deaths.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

In Australia, IOAD is convened by the Penington Institute, a non-for-profit organisation which collects and tracks our national statistics and the impact of overdose on our communities and health system. 

The theme for 2025 is 'One big family, driven by hope,’ highlighting the need for the community to come together to take action on overdose. This is a crisis which affects not only families, but entire communities. 

At Pharmacy 777 we continue to work alongside Penington Institute in support of International Overdose Awareness Day, by not only highlighting the importance of safe medication use, but also through our Pharmacist’s role in harm prevention and minimisation in the community. 

Pharmacists play an important role in ensuring quality use of medicines, managing adverse effects, and preventing and minimising harm from prescribed medicines, especially opioid medications, often prescribed to manage pain. 

All Pharmacy 777 locations participate in the Take Home Naloxone program, an Australian Government funded initiative that provides naloxone free to people who may experience, or witness, an opioid overdose. Naloxone is easy to administer and rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It is essential that all people using opioids have access to Naloxone, even when taking medication as prescribed.  

Pharmacy 777 Proprietor Swarup Afsar says, "Naloxone is one of the most significant and potentially life-saving services a Pharmacists can provide." 

Across his pharmacies, his team has provided Naloxone to anyone at risk of witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose, including patients using opioids long term. Beyond the pharmacy setting, the team have also worked to educate the community and improve access to this life-saving medication by placing it in first aid kits at local sports clubs and community centres. This helps ensure timely access in emergencies, particularly in areas where pharmacies may not be immediately available.

Pharmacy 777 proudly supports International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday 31st August.