Junior epipen supply issues?

[trixymalixy]

Had a total nightmare trying to get one for DS today. They said they couldn't even order them in, saying there was a manufacturer issue.

After trying a few places, the pharmacist in Boots phoned round to try and find somewhere that had one!

Does anyone know anything about this?

Same problem here, I have been waiting for nearly two weeks. Pharmacist also had to ring round to get two for us. Manufacturer issues also the excuse. Finally got ours today.

I do live on a rock in the middle of nowhere though...

Luckily it was a prescription for replacements for DD's nursary, which is currently shut for the holidays, so we have our own two that are still in date.

I would have been having kittens if I had been without them over Christmas.

I had the same problem a few months ago and the pharmacist blamed manufacturing issues! I know that the shape/design of the epipen has changed in the US so maybe they are planning to bring the changes here too. Will let you know if I hear any more.

It's a bit worrying isn't it. Hopefully they'll get it sorted.

It was DS's first prescription for an epipen and i just knew that if I didn't get it yesterday, sods law would mean he would need it, an ambulance wouldn't get there in time because it was Hogmanay and I would never forgive myself !!

Happens on a regular basis i have found. The last time for me i ended up trying twenty chemists

I phoned the suppliers helpline, which helpfully said : "we are closed until 6th January........we are aware of supply problems with epi-pen jnr, they will be available from 17th January". Well, that's reassuring! Just hope my girl doesn't ingest any nuts before then, then seem as her epi's ran out yesterday! Boots did suggest getting the prescription changed for "adrenalin" and then they could have issued something else. What tw**s!!

Rather than being a tw*t, that pharmacist was trying to help. If the prescription says 'Epi-pen' then they can ONLY supply that brand. If it is written generically (eg adrenaline 150mcg auto-injector) they can legally supply either brand (Anapen or Epipen). Personally I'd have whichever they can supply first.

Dd2 s runs out in march that was her first one so how long beforehand should I put the repeat in to get the new one?

Is this because they're (the NHS) moving away from using epipens to another product - you may want to check with your GP

girlsyearapart - If (fingers firmly crossed) they are available again on the 17th of January it will take a while to clear the backlog of people waiting for then. I'd try reordering in February, hopefully by then they'll be back in stock, but that should leave plenty of time to get a new one if there is a delay.

topiaryal - I'm not aware of any move away from epipens, in my experience they are the most commonly prescribed and cheapest brand available. MCS (manufacturer can't supply) problems are something every pharmacy deals with every day. Usually the problem is solved and supply returns to normal relatively quickly.

I was at the Royal Free and they're pretty excited about the new product. They did some product research with a Food Allergy Mums group a while ago and it sounds like all the things they wanted have been included in the product. I'll try to find out the name and post it

I always have to wait a few days as Tescos never seems to have epi pens in. I'm interested in the new product mentioned.
What I have noticed since moving surgeries is that this surgery tend to make a big fuss about prescribing my ds epi pens even though he has had a serious nut allergy which has been diagnosed by Guy's Hospital Allergy Clinic. Last time one doc made such a fuss I said I would fax her a copy of my ds's care plan from our consultant. She went very quiet and prescribed the epi pens ( with lots of huffing and puffing!)

www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/information/patients/adrenaline-injectors.aspx

have a look at the above

The other thing to remember is that in dire straights, your epipen is unlikely to stop working on its use-by-date, I was advised by a nurse that they could keep going for at least 6 months - so if you have to hang on to an out of date one for a few weeks you should be OK. Not perfect at all but will sort things out in an emergency.

Yeah I always hang on to them for a bit too.

The new one is called:
Jext - see
www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=11344644

Thanks - will have a read.

I've also come across this problem today and was lucky enough to receive one pack, dd needs another set to leave at pre-school, however the pack I've got expires in April.

Has anyone spoken to their GP or Consultant and been given an alternetive and do you know how effective it would be in comparison?

Not the pharmacists who are tw*ts, but the epi-pen suppliers/distributers. They are STILL not in stock, having missed the 17th deadline. They are now quoting 27th Jan. Anapen are also not in stock, due to manufacturing supply problems. What we are supposed to do I don't know!

Glad I saw this. I need to get new ones for DS, I think the current ones expire in March.

Have just come on MN to post about this. Yesterday, the village branch of Boots, from where I have obtained Epipens for the past 2 years, said there were supply problems with manufacturers. City centre Boots said similar. Independent chemists had one in stock, and have ordered the other for me to collect tomorrow. The lady there assured me it will be there then....

So it seems as if there are still problems with this...?

I am still waiting for my prescription. I am worried because my sons nursery will only use prescription medicine that is in date. The pharmacist suggested that they use another child's pen in an emergency! I bet their parents would not be too pleased about that!

Some info on this website looks like junior epipens will still be available, but they are changing distributor sometime this year.

I hope that doesn't mean supply will get worse before it gets better, DS's epipen goes out of date in July.

Oops here