Adrenaline Auto Injector Pens Within Schools

By Bill, posted

Severe allergies can trigger anaphylactic reactions with potentially life threatening consequences. Anaphylaxis is a treatable condition once diagnosed but problems can occur with the sudden onset for unknown sufferers. Children are particularly at risk and could be protected by schools keeping a stock of adrenaline auto injector pens.

Who Needs Them

Anyone who has been diagnosed with anaphylaxis by their GP would of been given a treatment plan which may or may not include the use of an adrenaline auto injector pen. The auto injector pen is used during an anaphylactic attack and can help reverse swelling, relax lung muscles and increases oxygen flow.

Shutterstock 242409607 (2)

The auto injector pen is commonly referred to under its brand name EpiPenTM. People often forget that the pen can also hold other medications like morphine and insulin. Making it suitable for example within the military and for aid workers.

The School Debate

One serious debate that continues to gather steam is the situation of anaphylactic shock occurring to children whilst they are at school. Typically children in these situations will keep one pen at home and one at their school, thereby covering an attack in both environments.

The main issue that arises is that not every case of anaphylactic shock is prior diagnosed which means a child will not have access to emergency medication. Currently schools are not allowed to use another child's auto injector pen even if it could save that child's life. This raises huge ethical and practical implications that have been addressed by the government.

Changes to Legislation

Anaphylaxis.org have campaigned to have ‘one spare pen’ in schools for some time to prevent child deaths from occurring. They have successfully pushed the debate as far as parliament where the practicalities of their usage and training is being discussed.

In October 2016 the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) agreed to begin the process of allowing schools to hold a spare auto injector pen without prescription. This is great news and will help protect children from the dangers of anaphylactic shock. Don't be surprised if this goes on to save a life in the very near future.

Share this article on social media

Related Articles