The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Concerns over EpiPen shortage
Health chiefs in Scotland have been urged to act amid growing concerns about a shortage of a lifesaving medicine for severe allergic reactions.
Worldwide supplies of EpiPens, which are adrenaline auto-injectors used to treat people with allergic emergencies, have been disrupted since late last year.
The most recent UK Government update warned there would remain “limited availability” of the injectors until the end of 2018. Doctors have been told some of the devices should be used beyond their expiry date until a solution can be found.
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald has written to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to urge her to act to reassure patients.
He said: “It is concerning that people with severe allergies are being told to rely on out-of-date EpiPens due to a shortage of the medication. This has the potential to be incredibly serious as EpiPens are only used for those who face lifethreatening anaphylactic reactions.”
EpiPens are supplied by Mylan and the shortage has been caused by delays from manufacturer, Meridian Medical Technologies in the US.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The chief medical officer and chief pharmaceutical officer have written to healthcare professionals with guidance on the prescribing, dispensing and safe use of adrenaline auto-injectors.”