Health Canada warned Canadians this past weekend about a flaw with some EpiPens that are circulating the market and they could come with some serious fatal consequences. As a result, the government is warning Canadians with life-threatening allergies to double check their Epipens before they possibly find out their pen is faulty the hard way.
@notyet_specifiedThe announcement happened on Saturday when Health Canada addressed Canadians about the issue specifically concerning Epipens and EpiPen Jr. auto-injector devices. Citing an issue with the device label as the source for the problem. That problem being that some Epipens on the market right now may not be sliding out as fast as they should be. As a result, delaying the user's ability to self-administer their necessary treatment.
Now, if you are wondering if the devices are being recalled, Pfizer Canada announced they will not be doing so. This is because since the issue has to do with the label and if users check their device, they'll be able to easily fix the issue themselves. Doing so is as simple as taking out your Epipen and making sure it slides in and out of the canister as easily as it routinely would.
@a.a.i.a_ctThis isn't the first issue that Epipen has seen as of recent. Last month Health Canada issued another warning about the device, but in that instance, it had to do with Pfizer's extreme shortage of pens. As a result, leaving pharmacies across Canada with zero stock of the devices.
Regardless with that shortage now resolved, if you are someone with an Epipen, your primary concern should be double checking all of your devices to make sure they aren't faulty. Just check they exit the cannister smoothly and if not, simply readjust the label sticker so it doesn't interfere anymore. The quick check and fix could be a life-saving decision!
Source: Huffington Post Canada