People who suffer from life threatening anaphylactic allergies rely on their Epi-Pens as a life-saving safety net in case they come in contact with an allergen.   Pfizer Canada has been reporting shortages for months due to manufacturing delays, and today told Health Canada it won’t have new stock of the 0.3 mg adult dose of epinephrine until the end of August.

 

Pfizer said inventory management can be challenging in part because of the EpiPen’s short shelf life, and it’s not unusual for stock to be on backorder. “Stock that was scheduled to be shipped in early August is currently being inspected which has caused a delay,”

 

Health Canada said that while some pharmacies might have some inventory on hand now, it will likely be gone soon.

 

Health Canada says anyone who has an anaphylactic reaction but has only an expired EpiPen should use the expired product and immediately call 911.

 

Pfizer Canada says it is currently able to provide the 0.15 mg EpiPen Jr, but supply is limited and the epinephrine injector for children is being carefully managed across the country.