MHRA reminds prescribers of latest advice regarding adrenaline auto-injectors

The latest issue of the Drug Safety Update provides an overview of recent advice relating to Emerade, EpiPen and Jext, the three adrenaline auto-injector devices available in the UK.

The advice for healthcare professionals covers possible activation failure with Emerade pens, including what to tell patients and/or carers in possession of these devices. Images showing what the pen should look like before and after activation are included in a recent letter to patients.

The update reiterates that any suspected product quality defects should be reported to the Yellow Card Scheme. Devices that are thought to be non-activated or otherwise defective should be retained for investigation and the manufacturer contacted for advice.

The update also recaps the information sent to healthcare professionals regarding the extended use of specific batches of EpiPen and Jext beyond their labelled expiry dates, an action which was taken to support adequate supply of these products.

MHRA advice for patients applicable to the use of all three adrenaline auto-injectors was issued in August 2018 and remains valid.