Epipen Shortage

People with life threatening allergies rely on them and right now adult Epipen injectors are in short supply some pharmacies like in Burlington have run out completely.

The shelf where they’re kept is now empty, a note from July 18th saying they’re back ordered. The Epipen junior used for children is available but supply is limited and is being carefully managed.

The maker, Pfizer Canada, has been reporting shortages for months because of manufacturing delays. Pfizer has now told Health Canada it won’t have new stock of the adult dose until the end of August.

Epipens deliver an emergency shot of epinephrine to patients at risk of the life threatening allergic reaction anaphylaxis, which is why pharmacists are concerned.

Health Canada says anyone who has an anaphylactic reaction but only has an expired Epipen should still use it and then immediately call 911. They expire on the last day of the month indicated on the package. Those with an August expiry date are good until August 31st.