*Update as of February 21, 2019: For the most recent update regarding EpiPen and EpiPen Jr availability, click here.*
*Update as of April 12, 2018: For the most recent update regarding EpiPen and EpiPen Jr supply interruptions, click here.*
Updated March 8, 2018:
Pfizer Canada has provided an update on the EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr auto-injector supply interruptions. Please see their notice below.
From Pfizer Canada, as of March 8, 2018:
Thank you for your patience throughout the EpiPen supply interruption. Pfizer Canada is pleased to announce that inventory of EpiPen 0.3 mg auto-injectors and EpiPen 0.15 mg (Jr strength) to replenish the Canadian market has been shipped. Pharmacies across the country will have access to supply by March 9, 2018. We continue to work towards ensuring consistent supply of both EpiPen 0.15 mg and EpiPen 0.3 mg, with additional stock expected to be released in upcoming weeks.
For further information or questions, please contact Pfizer Canada directly at 1- 877-EPIPEN1 (1-877-374-7361).
Original version from February 20, 2018:
Please note the following updates regarding the supply of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr in Canada.
EpiPen (0.3 mg dose) update
On January 11, 2018, Pfizer Canada advised of a supply shortage of 0.3 mg EpiPen auto-injectors. At that time, Health Canada also provided an update.
Health Canada is now reporting that pharmacies are expecting to receive a supply of EpiPens in early March, and the shortage is expected to be resolved by March 9, 2018. For further information please contact Pfizer Canada directly at 1- 877-EPIPEN1 (1-877-374-7361).
EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) update
Drug Shortages Canada posted a notice regarding the supply of 0.15 mg EpiPen Jr auto-injectors. According to the notice, EpiPen Jr has been put on “preventative allocation” due to increased demand.
To better understand what this means to consumers, we contacted Pfizer Canada. They provided the following information on the current supply of EpiPen Jr auto-injectors.
From Pfizer Canada:
- Pfizer Canada noted an increase in EpiPen Jr orders from customers in the month of January.
- As a result of increased demand, Pfizer is experiencing supply constraints of EpiPen Jr auto-injectors (0.15 mg format for children weighing 15–30 kg (33–66 lbs)).
- No EpiPen Jr auto-injectors expired in January 2018.
- At this time, there is supply of EpiPen Jr auto-injectors in pharmacies, but due to an unexpected, significant increase in demand, and out of an abundance of caution, inventory has been placed under preventative allocation until an estimated end date of March 16, 2018.
- This means that there may be a limit placed on the number of EpiPen Jr auto-injectors that can be provided to pharmacies until March 16, 2018. Pfizer is managing the supply carefully and working closely with distributors to avoid long-term supply constraints at the pharmacy level.
To help you better manage throughout this period, we, Food Allergy Canada, recommend the following:
- If you have an expired EpiPen or EpiPen Jr auto-injector or one that is about to expire, check with your local pharmacies to have it replaced. As a reminder, please note that the expiry date applies to the last day of the month noted on the device.
- If a new or in-date auto-injector is not available, a recently expired device may be used to treat an anaphylactic reaction in an emergency situation during this shortage period.
- As always, continue to follow and review our safety tips for managing food allergies.
For further information or questions, please contact Pfizer Canada directly at 1- 877-EPIPEN1 (1-877-374-7361).
Tags: Epinephrine, EpiPen, shortage