Making EpiPens Publicly Available for Allergic Reactions

I recently learned that our school district now has stock Epipens in all buildings. The rationale for this was in the event of a sheltering-in situation, additional emergency medications for food and insect allergic reactions may need to be available. I am unclear what happens when these medications expire. Where is the funding for extra Epipens going to come from, and who is keeping track of expiration dates?

Our school buildings already have defibrillators. "A Dangerous Allergy to Change", by Gillian Tett in FT magazine talks about the Good Samaritan Law leading to installation of defibrillators and questions why Epipens are not treated in the same manner.

The Virginia senate has sent an Epipen bill to the governor for signature following the death of an elementary student allergic to peanuts. Are we heading to nationwide availability of stock epinephrine in our schools, parks and other public places? It certainly makes sense from a health perspective, but I understand the concerns when it comes to cost and tracking of expired meds.

Does your school stock epinephrine? Would you be more apt to travel to places, say Disney, if you knew there was epinephrine readily available in the event of an anaphylactic emergency?

Dispose Those Expired EpiPens Safely

I have a little bag filled with expired Epipens. While I love the trick of practicing by using a real (expired) injector in a piece of fruit, like an orange, I'm never sure what to do with them after that. The local pharmacies don't seem to want them and while our allergist will dispose of them, I seem to have trouble remembering to bring them when we have an appointment.

Well, the FDA has stepped in and now offers do's and don't's, along with instructions on how and where to dispose of them. Of course the needles should not be put in recycling, trash, or flushed down the toilet, but many communities now offer disposal programs.

Check out your state's laws on needle disposal or call the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal at 1-800-643-1643 for further assistance.

AllergySense Helps Train Professionals in Food Allergies

Put expired EpiPens® and Twinject® to good use this month. Throughout the month of May, AllergySense will send expired pens to allergists' offices for training purposes.

Of course, I always recommend training yourself and family members by using an expired pen in an orange.

However, if you have several old pens lying around,mail them in a padded envelope to AllergySense for distribution. You'll even be entered to win great prizes.

Hurry, offer ends May 31, 2010.