CDO England issues advice for EpiPens in dental practices
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- Published: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 04:58
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The CDO England has issued a reminder to dental health care professionals on the need to conserve supplies of EpiPen for ‘patients who truly need them’. In answer to a Parliamentary Question, junior minister Steve Brine MP admitted that Mylan, the supplier of Epipens, had experienced ‘ongoing supply issues’ for the product.
Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Lib Dems, asked the minister what the timeframe was to resolve the national shortage of EpiPen 0.3mg Auto-Injectors.
Minister Steve Brine replied that officials in his Department were in regular contact with Mylan, the licensed supplier of Epipens, “as there have been ongoing supply issues affecting this product”. He continued: “Supplies are currently available of the 0.3mg, although limited, and are being closely managed to ensure that pharmacies can obtain stock to fulfil prescription for patients. Mylan anticipates that supplies will stabilize in the fourth quarter of 2018”.
From CDO (England)
You will be aware of the recent DHSC Supply Disruption Alert on EpiPen® and EpiPen Junior® adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) that advises conserving supplies for patients who truly need them. Some healthcare professionals, including dental practitioners, may be holding EpiPens or other AAIs, in preference to adrenaline ampoules, to treat anaphylactic reactions; this should not be necessary.
All healthcare professionals providing services where anaphylaxis treatment may be required should have the competency to draw up and administer adrenaline from ampoules with a normal syringe and needle.
Due to the shortage, we ask that when you renew the adrenaline in your anaphylaxis kits, you alert all your staff to please stock ampoules (ensuring you also include dosing charts, needles and syringes) and not AAIs. This will reduce the reliance on AAIs and therefore preserve essential EpiPen stocks for patients, parents, carers, teachers, etc. who, as lay persons, cannot be expected to administer adrenaline via a needle and syringe.
The Green Book and Resus Council guidance provides additional advice to healthcare professionals on the use of adrenaline in response to anaphylaxis.
Supplies of adrenaline ampoules are currently available and there is an expectation that dental practitioners should use these in preference to the EpiPen or similar devices.
All enquiries relating to this issue should be sent to the DH Supply Resilience Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are working to resolve the EpiPen® and EpiPen Junior® shortage as fast as possible. Thank you in advance for all your help.
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