Health Canada has warned that there could be a shortage of EpiPen (0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) auto-injectors this August in Canada.
Pfizer manufactures both the branded and authorised generic versions of the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors and Mylan is the distributor.
Pfizer has reportedly advised Health Canada that the supply of EpiPen in the 0.3 mg format is expected to be very limited at pharmacies.
A few months ago, Mylan informed the FDA of intermittent supply constraints due to manufacturing delays from Pfizer.
Pfizer stated that the current shortage is due to a manufacturing issue with the EpiPen 0.3 mg format. Pfizer is asking healthcare professionals to help manage the supply and pharmacists to keep this current supply situation in mind when dispensing EpiPen (0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg).
This means that while some pharmacies may currently have some inventory on-hand, it will likely be depleted in the coming days or weeks.
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are used to deliver an emergency treatment of adrenaline (epinephrine) to patients who are at risk or have a history of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). There are currently no alternative auto-injectors available on the market in Canada.
