WINNIPEG, MB. – Health Canada has once again announced a shortage of epipens across the country. The EpiPen 0.3 mg (DIN 00509558) is currently in shortage and that EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) (DIN 00578657) is expected to be in shortage as of April 13, 2018.

The shortage doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no epipens available at pharmacies but the limited inventory is being carefully managed. Pfizer blames the shortage on delays at the manufacturing facility.

In general, it is recommended that you have more than one auto-injector with different expiry dates to avoid having only an expired auto-injector. However, in this shortage situation, if you are experiencing an anaphylactic reaction and have only an expired auto-injector, use the expired product and immediately contact 911. Regardless of whether the product is expired, you should get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible following the administration of the product, as instructed in the product labelling.

Laura Manning, Manitoba Post

Photo from epipen.ca