Chemists to give out emergency EpiPens
Law change after girl died in street from allergy
PHARMACIES as well as trained staff in colleges and sports clubs will be able to supply life- saving EpiPens without a prescription f ollowing a l aw- change prompted by a girl’s death.
Emma Sloan, 14, died on a Dublin pavement in December 2013 when her mother could not get her an emergency EpiPen without a doctor’s script from a pharmacy.
Now Leo Varadkar has signed a statutory instrument to soften the restrictions on the availability of the life-saving jab.
Emma, a peanut allergy sufferer, was left unable to breathe after she mistakenly ate satay sauce in a Chinese restaurant on Eden Quay in Dublin city centre.
But when her mother Caroline went to a chemist for an EpiPen she was told to take her daughter to hospital as she had no prescription. Emma died in the street.
EpiPens are disposable, prefilled automatic injection devices that administer adrenaline in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams credited pressure on the authorities from Emma’s mother for the change in the law.
The Louth TD said: ‘Caroline’s campaign to ease the regulations around the avail ability of EpiPens attracted considerable public and media attention and the (Health) Minister’s decision is in no small part a result of Caroline’s diligence. I want to commend her for her work.’
Mr Adams also expressed concern at the shortage of EpiPen devices. He said Mr Varadkar had acknowledged a shortage of supplies in a reply to a parliamentary question. The Co. Louth TD said: ‘The Minister’s response does not explain why there is a shortage of injectors.
‘This problem does not exist in other states where EpiPens are available. This is a matter I intend taking up with again with the Minister and the HPRA [Health Products Regulation Authority].’
Under changes made yesterday by Mr Varadkar, other life-saving rescue medicines can be administered by trained members of the public in emergency situations such as glucagon for diabetic hypoglyacaemia and glyceryl trinitrate for angina.
Mr Varadkar said: ‘These are important new healthcare initiatives which have the potential to save lives.
‘I am allowing organisations such as colleges, workplaces and sports venues to hold emergency “rescue” medicines and arrange for staff to be trained in their use.
‘Pharmacists will also be able to supply and administer these medicines to individuals in emergency circumstances.
‘These new arrangements do not, in any way, change the existing “good Samaritan” rule which allows any member of the public to assist a person in distress to administer a medicine which has been prescribed to them.
‘Equally, these regulations in no way diminish the responsibility or the importance of people continuing to carry the medicines that they need to manage their own health needs.’
Mr Varadkar has also decided to allow pharmacists to administer more vaccines.
He said: ‘Since 2011 pharmacists have been able to offer the flu vaccine to patients. Under the new regulations pharmacists will now also be able to offer shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.’
‘Grieving mother fought for law’