People have been urged to return a brand of adrenaline pens over fears they won't activate properly if dropped.
The Department for Health and Social Care made the plea to patients or the carers of patients, who carry Emerade 300 or 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injector pens. They have been told to contact their GP immediately and obtain a prescription for an alternative brand.
This precautionary recall was made because some of the 300 microgram and 500 microgram Emerade auto-injector pens may rarely fail to activate if they are dropped. This will mean a dose of adrenaline would not be delivered.
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Premature activation has also been detected in some of the 300 microgram and 500 microgram pens after they have been dropped, meaning that a dose of adrenaline is delivered too early, the Government has said.
Patients have been reminded to carry two pens at all times and seek help from their pharmacy in obtaining a new prescription for EpiPen or Jext Adrenaline Pens. Patients should only return their Emerade pens when they have received a replacement from their pharmacy.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "Patient safety is our top priority. We are taking prompt action to protect patients, following detection of damage to internal components of the Emerade pens if they are dropped, which may mean they activate too early or fail to activate and deliver adrenaline.
"The Department for Health and Social Care has confirmed that there are appropriate supplies of EpiPen or Jext adrenaline pens available for patients across the UK, however, patients will need to request a new prescription.
"Patients are reminded to carry two pens with them at all times as normal and to contact their healthcare professional when a replacement is due."
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