Spare Pens in Schools: the Anaphylaxis Campaign launches campaign to ensure adrenaline is stocked in all state schools

Today, 4th November 2014, we have launched an important new initiative for our schools. If successful, this campaign will ensure every state school, pre-school and nursery have a stock of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors and there are sufficient trained staff to operate the devices.

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors are prescribed to everyone at risk of a severe allergic reaction and are to be used in an emergency situation.  The brands currently available in the UK are EpiPen and Jext.

Emerade devices in all doses (150mcg, 300mcg and 500mcg) have been recalled and are not currently available. Read the latest statements on this in our Latest News section here.

Lynne Regent, CEO of the Anaphylaxis Campaign said, “This is a very important Campaign that we are launching in our 20th Anniversary year, and one we hope will save lives. Adrenaline being available in schools to support the child’s prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injector will be a big step forward keeping children with severe allergies safer.”

Dr Andrew Clark, Chair of the Anaphylaxis Campaign’s Clinical and Scientific Panel and Consultant in Paediatric Allergy, Cambridge University Hospital Trust said, “Adrenaline needs to be injected promptly when someone has a severe allergic reaction, to counteract the symptoms which can become life-threatening in a very short space of time.”

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recently issued revised guidance for the prescribing and use of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors.  In summary: People who have been prescribed an Adrenaline Auto-Injector should carry two with them at all times for emergency on the spot use.  After every use of an Adrenaline Auto-Injector, an ambulance should be called (even if symptoms are improving), the individual should lie down with their legs raised and, if at all possible, should not be left alone.  The reasoning behind two devices always being available is in case one is broken or misfires, or a second injection is needed before emergency help arrives.

Children and young people spend a large proportion of their time in school and with the MHRA guidance stating two Adrenaline Auto-Injectors should be carried at all times, it makes sense for schools to hold a generic adrenaline auto-injector as standard to avoid the need for families to provide two devices for the child in school.

We will post updates on the campaign on our website.