Tasmania has been affected by a nationwide EpiPen shortage, pharmacists say.
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Tasmanian branch president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia John Dowling said the pens were scarcely available.
“It’s a problem and obviously EpiPens save lives when people have reactions, so its pretty critical,” he said.
The automatic injector, used to inject adrenaline during anaphylactic shocks, is sold by American pharmaceutical company Mylan.
However, the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia advised that EpiPen manufacturer Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company, suffered a manufacturing delay. The body advised people to use out-of-date EpiPens in an emergency.
“Research suggests that recently expired devices are effective in an emergency,” the organisation’s chief executive Maria Said said.
Tasmania has three major EpiPen wholesalers – Sigma-Aldrich, Symbion and Australian Pharmaceutical Industries.
However, only Sigma-Aldrich has announced a date for delivery of new EpiPens. Dispense technician for Launceston City Capital Chemist Sarah Ray said the March 2 delivery date was “optimistic”.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
