>Dear Everyone:
>
>We are especially upset about the epi pen recall since someone on
>another list stated that the effective concentration in some is nil.
>So using two wouldn't add up to even one.  We are being VERY careful--
>I can't believe they are not producing or hiring someone else to
>produce replacements-- this is a life-threatening situation for many
>people.  Please be careful everyone.

According to their announcement, they have been producing replacements. I
suspect that there are logistical problems related to how pharmacies and
distributors buy and distribute in bulk, and that there are plenty of
recalled Epipens in inventory but not nearly enough replacements to go
around, nor a mechanism to get them to the retailers quickly.

>Susan
>(ps. the Walgreen's pharmacist asked us if we could use the "Anakit"
>whatever that is-- does anyone know? has anyone heard of other alter-
>natives?  I'm tempted to ask the doctor for a vial of epinephrine and
>a syringe to keep in the house!)

If Anakit is the same as it was years ago, it contains a syringe that has
been preloaded with epi. It was a bit trickier to use than Epipens are,
which is why the Epipen caught on so completely. But if it was the only
thing available, I'd get one, and then I'd keep in touch with the pharmacy
to see when the replacement Epipens come in. It does sorta shake your
confidence in Dey/Meridian, though, doesn't it?

Mark

Mark Feblowitz                  GTE Laboratories Incorporated
[log in to unmask]              40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA 02154-1120