Patients and carers who carry Emerade 300 or 500mcg adrenaline auto-injector pens have been told to contact their GP “immediately” to request a prescription for a different brand after a study found defects in some Emerade pens. 

The MHRA issued a precautionary product recall notice earlier today (Tuesday May 9) in which it advised that a design assessment study had found that some auto-injectors “failed to deliver the product or activated prematurely”.

As a result, manufacturer Pharmaswiss Česka republika s.r.o. and distributor Bausch & Lomb UK are recalling all unexpired batches of the devices and have put future production on hold.

Healthcare professionals have been asked to inform patients and carers that they must return their Emerade devices to the pharmacy and obtain a new prescription from their GP for either EpiPen or Jext pens and carry two devices with them at all times.

While EpiPen and Jext are available in a maximum strength of 300mcg, the MHRA said evidence suggests that a single one of these devices “will be a suitable replacement for a single Emerade pen”.

MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave advised patients: “We are taking prompt action to protect patients following detection of damage to internal components of the Emerade pens if they are dropped, which may mean they activate too early or fail to activate and deliver adrenaline. 

“The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that there are appropriate supplies of EpiPen or Jext adrenaline pens available for patients across the UK, however, patients will need to request a new prescription.

“Patients are reminded to carry two pens with them at all times as normal and to contact their healthcare professional when a replacement is due.”