Patients advised to replace Emerade pens due to potential activation issues.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an urgent recall for Emerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injector pens, citing potential faults that could cause failure to activate or premature activation if dropped.
Patients and their carers are instructed to immediately contact their GP to obtain a prescription for alternative brands such as EpiPen or Jext before returning Emerade pens to their local pharmacy. Pharmacies can assist with the prescription process and supply of replacement pens.
According to MHRA data, Emerade pens were prescribed over 20,000 times in England between March 2022 and February 2023. The regulator highlighted that replacement brands may have different usage instructions, so patients should familiarise themselves with the new pens.
The recall follows the manufacturer’s design assessment, which detected that some pens may fail to deliver adrenaline or activate prematurely due to internal component damage caused by being dropped. Additionally, exposure to temperatures above 25°C can increase the risk of pen failure, prompting the MHRA to advise against storing pens near radiators or fires.
Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, emphasised the importance of patient safety: “This precautionary recall is essential to protect patients after detecting potential damage to internal components. We urge all patients to follow guidance and ensure they carry two adrenaline pens at all times.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed sufficient supplies of alternative pens are available across the UK. Patients are reminded to consult their healthcare provider promptly to secure replacements and ensure continuity of emergency anaphylaxis treatment.
