The Health Department is also calling on Islanders who use the medication to ask for their prescriptions in plenty of time to enable pharmacists to track stock down.
Auto-injectors are used in cases of anaphylaxis, an acute, severe form of allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Food including nuts, milk and eggs can lead to anaphylaxis in people with severe allergies. Patients who use EpiPens, which administer adrenaline, are recommended to keep two at all times, as one is not always sufficient.
There is currently a global shortage of EpiPens, the most widely used adrenaline auto-injector.
A Hospital spokeswoman said: ‘This is a global supply issue affecting EpiPen. There are two alternative adrenaline auto-injectors – Emerade and Jext. The problem affecting EpiPen is having a knock-on effect, so that supplies of all devices are intermittent. We are working with all suppliers to manage the current shortage.
‘We advise all users of adrenaline auto-injectors to ask for prescriptions in plenty of time to allow pharmacists time to track down stock. Anyone concerned should speak to their GP or pharmacist.’
The spokeswoman added that Robbie Turner, director of pharmacy at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, had also issued advice to adrenaline auto-injector users.
His advice states that patients and carers should not discard expired EpiPens, as they can be used if the window on the device is colourless and clear. However, he stressed that patients should not use the EpiPen if the liquid is discoloured.
The advice also states: ‘In the absence of good access to adrenaline devices, patients/carers should consider delaying non-essential travel, particularly long-haul flights.’
