Healthcare professionals are being asked to contact patients who use Emerade 300 microgram pens following notification by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of a recall of these pens.

The recall is due to reports of difficulty in activating the pens, meaning the dose of adrenaline may not be delivered when needed by a patient for a severe, acute allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

This action follows a previous recall of Emerade 150 microgram auto-injector pens on 4 March 2020 from patients.

Patients or carers should obtain a prescription from their doctor for alternative pens and should ensure they have two replacement pens to carry with them, before returning the Emerade 300 mcg pens to the pharmacy.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the MHRA in line with NHS guidance, is urging patients who need to return auto-injector pens to minimise additional burden on healthcare professionals and heed the advice on social distancing.

• a patient or carer should make a telephone appointment with their doctor to request a prescription for replacement pens of a different brand. Unless their doctor advises otherwise, they should not visit the GP surgery in person

• request the prescription is sent to a pharmacy to avoid collecting in-person from the surgery

• if a patient and/or their household is self-isolating, ask a friend or relative to collect the replacement pens from the pharmacy. Some pharmacies offer a home delivery service.

• once the patient has the replacement auto-injector pens return Emerade 300 mcg pens to the pharmacy. Some pharmacies have drop-off boxes to facilitate distancing.

The Emerade auto-injector pens – which come in 150, 300 and 500 micrograms – are being recalled in stages when there are enough supplies of the two alternative brands – EpiPen or Jext.

Patients should continue to carry in-date Emerade 500 microgram pens and use them if needed. Patients should always carry two pens.

The available data show most of the pens will still activate, but more force may need to be applied.

As soon as there are enough replacements for all in-date Emerade 500 microgram pens, patients and prescribers will be informed so they can exchange them for another brand.

A MHRA spokesperson, said:

“Action has been taken to protect patients, following detection of a fault in one component of the Emerade adrenaline auto-injector pens.

“As a result of the fault, some pens may fail to activate and deliver adrenaline. There are now enough supplies of alternate brands to enable a full recall of Emerade 300 microgram pens.

“A patient level recall of Emerade 500 microgram pens will be undertaken as soon as there are enough alternative supplies.

“Patients should return all Emerade 300 microgram pens to their local pharmacy once they have a new prescription and have been supplied with pens of an alternative brand.

“Patients should return Emerade 300 microgram pens as soon as they can, while continuing to follow all social distancing advice.

“It is vital that patients follow existing advice to carry two pens with them at all times and to contact their doctor when a replacement is due.

“When switching to a different brand of adrenaline pen the patient must ensure they are familiar with how to use the pen as each brand is administered differently.”

At present, healthcare professionals are unlikely to be able to help with face to face training but there may be opportunities for remote consultations. Patients must take particular care to read the instructions on how to use the pen which are in the leaflet contained in the box.

The manufacturers’ websites for each brand of pen have information and training videos on how to use a specific pen. Trainer pens can be obtained from the manufacturer and patients are strongly urged to get these so they can practise with the new device.

If an Emerade pen does need to be used, it should be pressed very firmly against the thigh. If this does not result in activation, the patient should immediately use their second pen.

Exposure to high temperature may increase the risk of pen failure. Emerade pens should not be exposed to temperatures above 25°C, such as being placed near to a radiator or fire.

More detailed information for patients is available on the MHRA website.

Information in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19) when a prescription is needed for replacement pens, based on the current UK Government guidelines for social distancing:

• patients should follow the advice of their local GP practice/hospital and only attend when instructed to do so. Telephone appointments should be sought where possible. Further information can be obtained on the government website

• healthcare professionals dispensing medicines should ensure vulnerable patients can still obtain their replacement auto-injectors, considering the use of delivery services where appropriate

• although pens should be returned to a pharmacy once a replacement is obtained, this should not require someone who is self-isolating to leave their home

• at the present time, patients and carers may be unable to visit a healthcare professional to receive training in use of the new device. They must take particular care to read the instruction leaflet on how to use the pen. Patients and carers should also read the training information for their new pen on the manufacturer’s website.

• Funding will provide immediate financial support to DMOs who are at severe risk of closure due to the pandemic

Destination Management Organisations at risk of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic will receive financial support thanks to a new £1.3 million scheme launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) today.

The funding, which is available to any at-risk DMO in England which usually receives at least 50% of its income from commercial sources, will be used to cover operating costs and the cost of employees that cannot be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme because they provide crucial business support services.

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

At the moment it is of utmost importance that everyone plays their part and stays at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

However, we also need to act now to help the tourism sector be as strong as possible when we get through this pandemic. Destination Management Organisations will play a vital role in this recovery and this fund will support their essential work.

DMOs provide expert advice and guidance to local businesses and are a crucial part of developing and promoting English tourism. As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, a number of DMOs are currently facing cash flow issues and loss of commercial income. This funding will ensure that DMOs can continue to provide critical business support and start to prepare for recovery.

Under the scheme, DMOs will be able to receive up to £2,500 per month for two members of non-furloughed staff who provide crucial business support services and up to £5,000 to cover operating costs.

VisitEngland Acting CEO Patricia Yates said:

Tourism has been one of the earliest and hardest hit of all economic sectors and this fund will help to ensure DMOs can continue to provide crucial support and expert guidance to the hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses that make-up England’s tourism sector. Our intention is to get the funds out quickly to DMOs with a light touch application process as we work with them in recovery planning, to ensure that tourism rebounds and once again becomes one of the most successful and vibrant sectors of the economy.

Notes to editors:

The funding will last until 30th June 2020 and is repurposed from the Discover England Fund. DMOs play a vital role in the development and promotion of English tourism. There are an estimated 150 in England, each running marketing campaigns, providing advice to local tourism businesses and conducting research on behalf of their members. Many also manage central Government grant schemes like the Discover England Fund.

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed many people’s lives. As well as changes to their working lives, parents like Rebecca Ballantyne are also having to entertain and educate their children who are now at home during the working day.

For a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) advocate like Rebecca Ballantyne, this is something to embrace. It’s also an opportunity for her to share her skills with others who are trying to find creative, educational activities for their children.

Rebecca has been part of Sellafield Ltd’s STEM programme for some time. She regularly visits schools, nurseries and even universities to share her passion and knowledge with an interested audience. She’s now sharing these skills and ideas with a wider audience.

She said:

I am in awe of the workers on the frontline who are putting themselves at risk each and every day to help us. While I am not in the same position, I did want to do something to try and help people.

This is a strange time. We’re all adapting to new ways of working. This is daunting for many people, but especially for parents who have children at home with minds to be occupied and a thirst for learning to be quenched.

I have spent a number of years trying to get young people passionate about STEM and I have developed some creative ways of doing with – with even the hardest to impress young people.

I know I am very lucky to be able to work from home, while some of my colleague are still at work. So, I’ve used some of my spare time to try and make a difference to young people in the area.

Working with her mum, who is a qualified teacher and creative, mixed media artist; Rebecca has launched a new Facebook page. ‘Kreative Kidz Cumbria’ will share a creative, educational activity for children each day.

The activities are all designed to be practical and easy to complete at home, using everyday items. Each activity lasts around 30 minutes and aims to encourage the creative in children.

Rebecca added:

Schools are providing work, but we all know that it’s impossible to timetable a full day’s work, so we aim to fil the gap with something short.

One of this week’s activities will be to use items we have in the home, such as our recycling, to create musical instruments that can be used in this week’s clap for carers on Thursday evening.

We have lots of other activities that I know from my own daughter are fun but are still educational. What’s brilliant is that even though the site is new, we’re gaining followers quickly and people are also sharing their own ideas.

Rebecca is a chemist at Sellafield Ltd, working in the company’s analytical labs. She visits schools and nurseries as part of the Sellafield Ltd STEM ambassador programme. This sees employees visiting educational establishments to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with young learners. It is through this that Rebecca has honed her storytelling skills.

Sellafield Ltd has confirmed this week that any employee who isn’t a key worker can volunteer to support their local community during work time. For further details, see the employee area of our website.

Please do not call us unless you are a key worker directly involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key workers can contact us here.

All other customers please use our online services, which are all currently available.