By Brady Ratzlaff

EpiPen shortage across Canada expected to last until early September

Aug 17, 2018 | 5:30 AM

People who depend on EpiPens have been dealing with a shortage since July.

Becky Perrin, Pharmacist/Owner of Mint Health and Drugs in Grande Prairie and Beaverlodge says it’s a common occurrence for medications to go through shortages, but this is the first time she has seen EpiPens in low supply.

“Usually there are generic manufacturers that make medications, but in this case, there is only the brand name EpiPen. So, it’s only the one manufacturer. When we try to order [an EpiPen] it’s saying manufacturer can not supply.”

Perrin adds the shortage has been going off and on since May with the peak hitting around the week of July 11th.

Perrin says there are other options people can use in the short term.

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“We still are able to get some EpiPen Juniors sometimes, not every day. Every now and again they do become available for children. In the worst-case scenario, we could get an adult to use two of Junior Pens that would give the same dose.”

Perrin adds the more inconvenient route is to get adrenaline or epinephrine in a vile that would people have to draw up with a needle and syringe to inject.

For people suffering from allergies, EpiPens are essential.

“Some of these people have life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and could be from peanuts or bee stings. It’s a very serious situation if they don’t have an EpiPen,” said Perrin.

A higher number of wasp stings have also been a factor for EpiPen users this summer. 

The current shortage is expected to end on September 3.