Departmental statement – Availability of EpiPens®.
The Department of Health is aware of an ongoing issue with intermittent supply constraints of EpiPen® 0.3mg and EpiPen® Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors due to manufacturing delays.
It is unable to make any specific treatment recommendation to individual patients but would advise that there are two alternative adrenaline auto-injector products available in the UK. Patients who are concerned about the current supply constraints of EpiPens® should speak to their GP practice regarding the possibility of alternative treatments.
The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) is actively monitoring the availability of all Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in conjunction with wholesalers, and has issued advice to prescribers and community pharmacies in Northern Ireland.
Departmental officials are in contact with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care (London) (DHSC) who are in regular dialogue with the supplier of EpiPen®. The DHSC has advised that they will be working closely with all manufacturers of adrenaline auto-injectors, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Anaphylaxis UK and other stakeholders to seek to address the supply constraints as appropriate.
Patients are also advised to retain their current EpiPens® until a new supply can be obtained.
