Information updates

Important notice about EpiPen® Jr Supply

20 November 2019:

Supply of EpiPen® Jr 150mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors has been affected due to manufacturing delays from the manufacturer in the US, Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company. This means that there is currently a shortage of EpiPen® Jr as noted on the TGA website https://apps.tga.gov.au/prod/MSI/search and normal supply is expected by 31 January 2020. Mylan will continue to provide updates about the supply situation and their latest update can be viewed here Notification of EpiPen Jr supply constraint Nov 201991.72 KB.

Please note that supply of EpiPen® 300mcg adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors is NOT affected.

Mylan, the supplier of EpiPen® Jr in Australia and New Zealand, has set up the following process to ensure those at risk of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) have access to the emergency treatment they may need:

Patients requiring an EpiPen® Jr are being directed to contact their local pharmacy.
Pharmacies can then contact the Mylan Customer Support team on 1800 274 276 or the EpiPen® Customer Service Toll Free hotline on 1800 931 625 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain instructions on how to access emergency supply.
During the current supply constraint, only ONE EpiPen® Jr should be dispensed to each patient.

Whilst the use of an expired EpiPen® Jr adrenaline autoinjector is not ideal, research suggests that recently expired devices retain potency. Therefore, if no other EpiPen® Jr autoinjector is available, use of a recently expired EpiPen® Jr autoinjector to treat anaphylaxis is advised, as stated on the ASCIA website allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-storage-expiry-and-disposal

To ensure those at risk of anaphylaxis have access to the treatment they may need, supply should be restricted to patients with an EpiPen® Jr prescription for a new diagnosis, or because their EpiPen® Jr has expired or has recently been used. We also request that schools and early childhood education/care (ECEC) centres take into account the current supply issues, by not requesting additional EpiPen® Jr devices to be brought to the school or ECEC centre for each child at risk of anaphylaxis, and to limit the replacement of general use devices at this time.

We thank you in advance for your consideration of others at this challenging time.

Further Information

Can a higher dose of adrenaline be given to a young child if no EpiPen ^®Jr is available?

In Australia and New Zealand, there are currently two doses of adrenaline autoinjectors available:

EpiPen^® (0.3mg) is usually prescribed for adults and children over 20 kg.
EpiPen^®Jr (0.15mg) is usually prescribed for children 7.5*-20 kg.

*Whilst 10-20kg was the previous weight guide for a 0.15mg adrenaline autoinjector device, a 0.15mg device may now also be prescribed for an infant weighting 7.5-10kg by health professionals who have made a considered assessment. Use of a 0.15mg device for treatment of infants weighing 7.5kg or more poses less risk, particularly when used without medical training, than use of an adrenaline ampoule and syringe.

A general guide to adrenaline autoinjector dose:

Children under 7.5kg are not usually prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector. If anaphylaxis is suspected only a 0.15mg device should be given. Higher dose adrenaline autoinjectors should NOT be administered to children under 7.5kg.
In children weighing 7.5-20kg, a 0.15mg adrenaline autoinjector should be used. However, if only a 0.3mg device is available, this should be used in preference to not using one at all.

ASCIA Guidelines for adrenaline autoinjector prescription are available at allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-prescription