Advertisement

EpiPen packaging may be defective, Health Canada warns — here’s how to tell

Click to play video: 'Health Canada releases warning about EpiPen and EpiPen Jr'
Health Canada releases warning about EpiPen and EpiPen Jr
WATCH: Health Canada releases warning about EpiPen and EpiPen Jr – Oct 1, 2018

Health Canada is warning that some EpiPen and EpiPen Jr may have a defect in packaging that makes it difficult — or impossible — to remove the auto-injectors from the packaging.

Pfizer Canada alerted the public health agency to the issue, noting that the problem affects a “very small number of cases,” but it did not give an exact number.

The possible affected products are:

  • EpiPen (0.3 mg) (DIN 00509558) products, with an expiry date between April 2018 and October 2019.
  • EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) (DIN 00578657) product, with an expiry date between April 2018 and October 2019.

In cases of faulty packaging, the auto-injectors “may not slide out of their carrier tube easily, or at all,” Health Canada warns. This could lead to delays or prevent life-saving treatment entirely.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: This is why there’s an EpiPen shortage, according to Health Canada

Click to play video: 'This is why there’s an EpiPen shortage, according to Health Canada'
This is why there’s an EpiPen shortage, according to Health Canada

“According to the company, the device label has been improperly applied to a very small number of devices in a way that the device label may become stuck to the inside of the carrier tube,” Health Canada’s advisory read.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

But Pfizer Canada has not recalled the affected products. Instead, it is urging Canadians to check their EpiPens beforehand or ask a pharmacist to test them.

READ MORE: Health Canada reviewing whether to extend EpiPen expiry dates

“Products are not being recalled by Pfizer (in agreement with Health Canada), because pharmacists and consumers can check devices themselves before an emergency situation arises to make sure they slide easily out of their carrier tube,” the company explained in a press release. 

Story continues below advertisement

To test whether an EpiPen is affected, consumers can try to slide their device from the carrier tube.

Health Canada explains how: “To check the device, flip open the carrier tube cap, gently turn the tube upside down and let the device slide out into your hand (do not shake or drop it). Visually inspect your device to make sure the device label has no unglued edges that may catch on the tube.”

WATCH: FDA approves first generic version of EpiPen

Click to play video: 'FDA approves first generic version of EpiPen'
FDA approves first generic version of EpiPen

The advisory adds that consumers should not remove the blue safety release while inspecting the device. That would only be removed when the auto-injector is actually being used.

Once checked, the EpiPen can be returned back to the carrier tube and stored. If there is a problem, the device can be returned.

Story continues below advertisement

“If your device sticks or does not slide out easily from its tube, or the device label has unglued edges, return it to your pharmacist for replacement,” the health agency explains.

READ MORE: Health minister set to make U.S.-made EpiPen alternative available in Canada

Health Canada also reminded consumers in its advisory that there is a shortage of EpiPen supply, and that an alternate product Auvi-Q is available through an interim order.

In August, Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor signed an interim order to allow the U.S.-approved Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injectors to be imported into Canada due to the shortage.

More information on the alternate Auvi-Q auto-injectors is available on Health Canada’s website.

— With a file from The Canadian Press

Sponsored content

AdChoices