EpiPen® Jr Out of Stock
ASCIA has been notified by Mylan Australia that EpiPen® Jr will not be available from 5 December 2019.
People who are newly diagnosed or who have used their last EpiPen® Jr may not be able to purchase an EpiPen® Jr device until stock arrives from the United States on 17 December 2019 or shortly thereafter. In light of this critical development ASCIA recommends that all remaining stock in pharmacies should be provided to newly diagnosed infants and children weighing 7.5-20kg, and those who have used their EpiPen® Jr and have no other dose available.
Schools and early childhood education/care (ECEC) centres
ASCIA requests that schools and early childhood education/care (ECEC) centres take into account the current supply issues, by not requesting additional EpiPen® Jr devices to be brought to the school or ECEC centre for each child at risk of anaphylaxis, and to limit the replacement of general use devices at this time.
Where there is no alternative available ASCIA advises schools and ECEC that it may be necessary to accept recently expired EpiPen autoinjectors during nation-wide shortages. Please see more information at allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-storage-expiry-and-disposal
Parents should be able to bring EpiPen® Jr devices to and from school each day with the child.
Parents and carers requiring documentation for schools and ECEC during the out of stock period can use this ASCIA document:
ASCIA EpiPen Jr Out of Stock ECEC December 201997.98 KB
Emergency treatment if you do not have an EpiPen
- ASCIA recommends calling 000 (Australia) or 111 (New Zealand) if a person has any signs of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) after using an EpiPen (in date or expired) if available.
- If there is no access to adrenaline call an ambulance early if there are signs of an allergic reaction and you are uncertain if there are signs of anaphylaxis.
- Always follow the ASCIA Action Plan. Keep the person with allergy lying flat or sitting on the ground/lap with legs outstretched in front of them (not dangling).
- The person having an allergic reaction should not stand or walk as this can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Babies/children should not be held upright.
© ASCIA 2019
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice.
The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
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Content created 5 December 2019
