With back to school around the corner, parents of children with allergies are making doubly sure their kids are prepared as the EpiPen shortage continues.
Marie-Josée Bettez, who runs a community Facebook page for parents of kids with allergies, said parents are posting their concerns that schools won't accept expired EpiPens. Schools and daycares normally have strict policies about using expired meds.
"For sure, it makes parents insecure during a time when it's already hectic," said Bettez in an interview with CJAD 800.
The Lester B. Pearson School Board said while it doesn't have an official policy on expired EpiPens, all of their schools and centres are equipped with functional EpiPens at all times.
"Typically, elementary and high school parents provide their children with allergies their own EpiPens, and they assume the responsibility of EpiPen storage," said spokesman Stewart Noah Lazarus.
Marie-Josée Richard, a nurse who works with the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal said they are referring school nurses to the statement issued by the Quebec Health Ministry and doctors and pharmacists groups which are authorizing their use.
"We don't have a choice. There's no alternatives," said Richard.
CJAD medical correspondant Dr. Mitch Shulman said expired self-injectors can be used in a pinch so long as you take precautions.
"The expiry date is the last day of the month and the expiry date doesn't mean that it doesn't work; it just means that it doesn't work as well," said Shulman,
"In an emergency, you can use it safely so long as the solution is clear and it's not discoloured, there's no particulate matter in that clear window when you use it."
Health officials say stocks should slowly start being replenished by the end of the month.