Allergy sufferers 'are at risk' from shortage of life-saving injector pens in shops

 
Risk: Cameron Traill, with his mother

Allergy sufferers are facing difficulties obtaining life-saving medication due to a shortage of EpiPen auto-injectors.

EpiPen is the best-known brand of injector which administers adrenaline to patients who have an anaphylactic reaction, most commonly caused by allergies to nuts, milk, seafood and bee and wasp stings.

The shortages appear to have been triggered by increased demand after a recall in December of an alternative injector, Jext.

A check by the Standard found that over a third of London pharmacies had no EpiPens in stock at all. Fewer than one in five had stock of both the adult and junior dosages. This is of particular concern as the Anaphylaxis Campaign advises that allergy sufferers should carry two pens with them at all times in case one should fail, or because a second dose may be required.

One multiple food allergy sufferer, Nia Hatton, 21, from Battersea, told how she was affected by the recall of Jext at Christmas and afterwards struggled to get an EpiPen. “It’s sort of heart-breaking not to be able to get hold of EpiPens easily — that’s the thing that keeps you alive. It’s so frustrating,” she said.

Louise Jones, editor of Nutmums.com, which supports parents of nut-allergic children, said: “The possibility that someone might suffer anaphylaxis and not have an EpiPen to hand, because UK pharmacies are out of stock, doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Allergy campaigner Alexa Baracaia added: “As the mother of a severely allergic three-year-old it’s intensely worrying. This shortage has been rumbling on for months now and there are conflicting reports.

“It adds more stress to what is already a deeply stressful condition.”

EpiPen’s UK supplier Meda Pharmaceuticals said: “Due to high levels of demand, created following the European-wide recall of an alternative auto-injector, we did experience a temporary shortage of EpiPen 0.3mg and EpiPen 0.15mcg.

“Due to this, additional stocks of EpiPen were expedited into the UK and are available to order through the normal route. Further stocks will be received throughout August.”

A spokeswoman for the UK distributors, Alliance Healthcare, confirmed that they do have stock and are working to get supplies into stores.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which can cause difficulties in breathing, swelling of the throat and a drop in blood pressure. It is estimated that it kills around 20 people in the UK each year.

Between February 2013 and February 2014 NHS hospitals in England dealt with over 20,000 admissions for allergies, of which 1 in 5 were for anaphylactic reasons.

A Department of Health spokesman said there was no shortage in stocks of Epipens. He added: “Our overriding concern is to make sure that patients get the medicines they need, when they need them.”

'I fear for my son'

Cameron Traill, six, from Rickmansworth, was diagnosed with a severe allergy to nuts, peanuts and mustard just before his second birthday.

His allergies are classed as a Grade 5 which means he is at serious risk of suffering potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

His mother Lara Traill, 38, said: “My heart sinks every time I have to get another pen prescription. Will it be a case of being told by pharmacists that there is still a shortage, which means going back to the GP for another prescription for an alternative?

“This in turn often means having to re-train baby-sitters and friends on how to use the pens, as they all seem to work slightly differently.

“It’s also worrying that GPs seem to be unaware of the shortages. Thank God I always carry two of the pens.”

For more information, contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign on 01252 542029 / info@anaphylaxis.org.uk

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