Adrenaline for Anaphylaxis – Advice for Healthcare Professionals

Advice from the National Director for Patient Safety

The National Director for Patient Safety has written to all GP practices and Community Pharmacies asking that healthcare professionals are mindful of the current difficulties with supply of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) and that they refrain from using AAIs in their anaphylaxis kits.

All healthcare professionals providing services where anaphylaxis treatment may be
required, including but not exclusive to flu vaccination services, should have the
competency to draw up and administer adrenaline from ampoules with a normal syringe
and needle.

Due to the shortage, we ask that when you renew the adrenaline in your anaphylaxis kits,
you alert all your staff to please stock ampoules (ensuring you also include dosing charts,
needles and syringes) and not AAIs. This will reduce the reliance on AAIs and therefore
preserve essential EpiPen stocks for patients, parents, carers, teachers, etc. who, as lay
persons, cannot be expected to administer adrenaline via a needle and syringe.