Councillor wants EpiPens available for ambulances
City staff cite shelf life, low use as reasons for not stocking equipment
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, May 15, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Ambulances don't carry a potentially life-saving drug used to quickly treat patients suffering severe allergic reactions because city staff say the injectors aren't used frequently and have a short shelf life.
Coun. Dan Wong said he wants to see EpiPens on the city's fleet of ambulances.
"If they use it once, it's worth it," he said.
EpiPen is the brand name of a disposable, pre-filled injection device used to administers epinephrine if someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction which can involve an airway swelling. It can be fatal if not addressed quickly. The drug opens airways and accelerates the heart rate.
"There is a very short window of use (three to four) months shelf life and they are not needed very often," director of community services Grant White stated in an e-mail Tuesday provided to Yellowknifer. "Given the transport time around the city, patients are transported in an expedient manner to the Stanton Territorial Hospital."
Wong disputes the shelf life statement. An EpiPen he showed to Yellowknifer on Tuesday from his first aid kit had an expiry date in early 2016. It cost about $135, he said.
Pfizer Canada Inc., the maker of EpiPen, states on its website the shelf life is at least 12 months from when the device is purchased.
Allerject, a product similar to EpiPen sold by Sanofi Canada, does not list how long its shelf life is on its website.
It's not clear where the city's expiry date information came from. Dennis Marchiori, the city's director of public safety, declined an interview.
"I see that Councillor Wong already went on Facebook with his thoughts on this matter," Marchiori stated in an e-mail.
"Therefore, I will not speak to this matter until I receive clear direction from council - on training, research or the possible future administration of 'epi-pens' or other symptom relief medications."
A person brought the EpiPen issue to Wong's attention recently, he said.
"I think it would be best to have it there than not have it," he said.
Wong said he will raise the issue again at a future council meeting. "It's a small, but worthwhile expense," he said about how much it could cost the city to stock the product on ambulances.
According to Health Canada, approximately two per cent of Canadians may be affected by life-threatening allergies. A figure that is climbing, especially among children.
