Mishall RehmanThe pharmaceutical company Pfizer Canada has released a recall for two types of EpiPens because they maintain defective parts which may result in a failure of the auto-injector.
The EpiPen .3 mg (epinephrine) and EpiPen Jr .15 mg (epinephrine) have been recalled because of two reported incidents, outside of Canada, of failure to active the device due to a potential defect in a supplier component.
“The potential defect could make the device difficult to activate in an emergency (failure to activate or increased force needed to activate) and have significant health consequences for a patient experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The incidence of the defect is extremely rare and testing and analysis across the potentially impacted lots has not identified any units with a defect. However, the recall is being conducted in Canada out of an abundance of caution,” stated Pfizer Canada in a statement.
Pfizer Canada promised to replace recalled devices at no cost to customers. Customers can receive an EpiPen Auto-Injector at their pharmacy as a replacement if the product is available. Pfizer Canada is working to make stock available in the coming weeks to meet the increasing demand.
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) patients are advised to contact the local CF H Sycs C pharmacy, if they are in possession of the affected auto-injector, to make an exchange of their affected EpiPen.
Patients are advised to keep their existing pens until they receive a replacement product.
The decision to recall the pens was made in collaboration with Health Canada.
For more information visit the Health Canada website or Pfizer Canada
