http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/important-recall-notice-all-auvi-q-epinephrine-auto-injectors-1 (http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/important-recall-notice-all-auvi-q-epinephrine-auto-injectors-1)
Yowzers!
ummmmm.....better check the numbers on my boxes, holy cow!
Practically in tears here. I've had 30 years of the craptastic epi-pen. Auvi was a dream come true, and now? Now the website says they're not sure it'll even be back. :'( Will they reimburse me for the new purse I'll have to buy now to accommodate the epis? :rant:
QuoteSanofi US is voluntarily recalling all Auvi‑Q® (epinephrine injection, USP). The recall involves all Auvi‑Q currently on the market and includes both the 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg strengths for hospitals, retailers and consumers. This includes lot number 2299596 through 3037230, which expire March 2016 through December 2016. The products have been found to potentially have inaccurate dosage delivery.
PLEASE go to the link and read all the details, everybody!!
Just got new Epi and Epi Jr for the kids. Ran new Jr.s to DD at rehearsal. What a nightmare. I love Auvi-Q and am really disappointed.
FWIW (For what it's worth) -- We filled our Rx for AuviQs in late August and all 4 of ours are in the recall.
I would like a more detailed explanation for "inaccurate dosage delivery" . . .
Ugh :pout:
Quote from: ajasfolks2 on October 28, 2015, 06:55:41 PM
I would like a more detailed explanation for "inaccurate dosage delivery" . . .
This!
It looks like Canadian Allerjects are part of the recall as well, though details are less clear at the moment. I'm packing my EpiPens to Girl Guides tonight. Bah, they are so big and inconvenient. My run tomorrow is going to have bouncy EpiPens instead of little flat Allerjects that fit in my pockets. Boo. [/rant]
Canadian Link:
http://sanoficanada.mediaroom.com/2015-10-28-Sanofi-Canada-Issues-Voluntary-Nationwide-Recall-of-Allerject-Due-to-Potential-Inaccurate-Dosage-Delivery (http://sanoficanada.mediaroom.com/2015-10-28-Sanofi-Canada-Issues-Voluntary-Nationwide-Recall-of-Allerject-Due-to-Potential-Inaccurate-Dosage-Delivery)
Thankfully I just refilled my EpiPen prescription a few days ago. (They were expiring at the end of this month.)
I feel so sorry for everyone who is affected by this directly with having to replace existing devices, and also for those of us who were holding on to the dream of AuviQ. My daughter has recently confided that she likes the design of AuviQ better than epi pen and would feel a lot more comfortable with it. She is going to be self-carrying very soon, and I even bought here a cute little purse with room enough for AuviQ, but was holding off until her epis expired. :'( Of course, now I am glad I did, but still ...
I'm just glad no one has died from this blunder, and I hope they can get to the bottom of it quickly. In the meantime, like many of you, I would also like more specific information!!
Sh!t sh!t sh!t. This covers the ones I JUST refilled as well as the ones ds is currently carrying. And now he has to go back to epi? That's going to be tough for him. He slips the auvis into his pocket and is good to go. I'm sure he doesn't want to go back to clipping something onto a belt loop. This really sucks.
Wow, how awful!
DS is away at school. I have no idea what he has. He'd better be paying attention to this.
Just spoke to him. Fortunately his Auvi's expire this month, and he has Epipens up at school.
What a shame, so sorry for everyone who has to get new prescriptions filled. Disappointing because the auvi q has so much benefit to the allergy community. Tough though because trust a big deal when you're carrying potentially life saving medication.
I'd better call in our refills, actually-- the surge in replacements may make epipens hard to get for a few weeks.
Ds is not happy about going back to Epis's :rant:
I'm disappointed and I'm also angry. They had ONE job to do, which was to manufacture a device that delivered the correct dose of potentially life-saving medication. :rant:
I requested a refill on our Epis in hopes of beating the rush and DH is at the pharmacy picking them up now. Incidentally, our pharmacist did not know about the recall yet.
Quote from: hk on October 28, 2015, 10:53:12 PM
I'm disappointed and I'm also angry. They had ONE job to do, which was to manufacture a device that delivered the correct dose of potentially life-saving medication. :rant:
I requested a refill on our Epis in hopes of beating the rush and DH is at the pharmacy picking them up now. Incidentally, our pharmacist did not know about the recall yet.
My doctors office (pediatrician with evening hours) did not know. The receptionist told me a nurse would call me back last night or this morning. I told her no, the nurse had to call me tonight bc I can't send my kids to school without the Epi-Pens. I got a return call in 5 minutes.
DS is bummed - he just started to self carry and has a running buddy. It was perfect. Now I think he will have his Epi in his Case-It Binder at school bc that goes everywhere with him. Or I have to go and buy him a ton of cargo pants....
Figures since none of the major news sites have run the story yet! :rant:
When I told dh about it, he suggested I test one on myself to see if it works (I once accidentally jabbed myself with and epi, which had him laughing harder than I've ever seen him laugh.) :tongue:
I wish Sanofi would give more info. It says none of the complaints was confirmed. Did they test the devices? Is there some percentage that aren't giving the right dose? People continued to experience symptoms? Did they give it in time? It just seems really vague and I have to wonder if there's actually a problem. But I'll call to get some epis for ds when the doctor's office opens.
DD is disappointed. Waiting for a nurse to call me back so I can get new scripts. Sent an email to the school nurse.
I too wish there were more concrete findings. I am concerned and hope Saniflo can bounce back from this recall and get back to business. These were wonderful for DD's friends.
3 Epi twin packs expiring FEB 2017 are mine this afternoon. School nurse appreciated the heads up and the new script she will have tomorrow.
So it turns out DS only has 1 Epipen. Called the MD to have them call in a rx to his local pharmacy. They said they have been flooded with calls.
Called ds's ped to have them call in a prescription. They didn't know about the recall (called at 9am). At least the person who answered didn't know.
Our pharmacy called to let us know about the recall and the replacement procedures.
My mother is in a bit of a tough situation though as she JUST left for six months in America. So she has a Canadian Allerject and pharmacies in America won't exchange them for her. Sanofi said she has to exchange them at a Canadian pharmacy. Or she can go to a doctor in America and get a new prescription, have it filled and Sanofi will pay her back for the EpiPens but not the doctor's visit. Her insurance won't cover a random doctor's visit, only emergencies. Any ideas? Right now I am going to exchange mine for EpiPens and send them down with my Dad when he comes up to visit for a weekend in December (just him coming to visit, not Mum - weird, but whatever.). Can anyone come up with a better plan? (I have two EpiPens already and refills for six more if I need them.)
Aside, I did wonder if my Allerject worked properly the last time I had to use it. It helped ease symptoms but not as much as past injections. In that weak state, under emergency medical attention already, it wasn't worth mentioning. But I did think about it at the time... But I was well beyond delirious in general so who really knows.
Space, could your mom go to a doc-in-a-box place to get the prescription? They're relatively inexpensive - I think MinuteClinic inside some CVS pharmacies was around $65 for a visit last time we went and CareNow urgent care usually runs about $100. She could call around and ask prices before going in. I'm sure prices are comparable at other brands of those places, too.
ETA: Just googled and MinuteClinic says $59-$99 for EpiPen and Auvi-Q (guess they'll have to update their site) refills.
http://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/price-lists (http://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/price-lists)
Pharmacies in my town are out of epipens:( we have one twin pack epipen in house which expires next month. This makes me uncomfortable!
Quote from: spacecanada on October 29, 2015, 03:18:14 PM
Aside, I did wonder if my Allerject worked properly the last time I had to use it. It helped ease symptoms but not as much as past injections. In that weak state, under emergency medical attention already, it wasn't worth mentioning. But I did think about it at the time... But I was well beyond delirious in general so who really knows.
When I used my Allerject last time I also remember noting that it wasn't the same 'instant relief' I had from a previous experience with a Twinject. EMS was already with me and I didn't end up needing a second injection anyway, just steroids etc. I later learned that the Allerjects I was carrying were all expired, including the one I used (my fault) so I sort of wondered if that might have explained the difference, or just that reactions are different every time. I am really glad now that I replaced the expired Allerjects with EpiPens.
space, can her doc call in a prescription to a Canadian pharmacy near you, and then you could pick them up and mail them to her? Is Sanofi saying you have to exchange them in Canada? We don't have to do that--just get new epis and mail Sanofi the auviqs or something like that.
My thoughts:
#1 --
Everybody who possibly can should self-limit as to how many replacement epinephrine injectors you get to replace as there may be a supply crunch and we don't want ANYONE to have to go without. (Just get what is truly NEEDED right now & for next 30 days or so -- until supply meets demand on devices.)
Just my .02-worth as a 16-year veteran parent of life-threatening food allergy kiddos.
It's the right thing to do.
Please spread the word.
#2 -- Continue to support AuviQ as they work through this (obviously, unless there would come to light malfeasance, which I do NOT expect.) Sanofi/Auvi-Q have been a godsend for MANY of us.
Thanks for listening.
Dow Jones article says too little or none at all delivered?
Quote
A Sanofi spokeswoman later said the devices potentially injected too little epinephrine or none at all.
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/sanofi-recalls-auviq-allergy-injectors--2nd-update-20151029-01915 (http://www.nasdaq.com/article/sanofi-recalls-auviq-allergy-injectors--2nd-update-20151029-01915)
Please share your experiences as to providers/services who learned of the recall and notified YOU personally.
In the space of a few hours, we had phone call (human) from our allergist and our pharmacy. We had a recorded message from our school district.
I was impressed.
Allerject sent me an 'important safety notice' by email this morning.
I echo the statement to limit exchanges for now. When our pharmacy called they said they will exchange one per customer right now until new supplies arrive.
We have a plan to get WpiPens to my mum now. Alas, post if out of the question due to weather extremes (freezing here and too hot where she is). My Dad will bring one of her Allerjects up with him, exchange it, and the phaacy will give him another one too. So she will be with only one Allerject for three days but is close to medical attention. She is lucky Dad is coming for a visit.
Also, $99 for a doctor's visit just to get a prescription sounds like a lot! I forwarded that option to her as well, if she wants EpiPens sooner.
Just sharing this link in case anyone interested. Not necessarily saying in support of or not. Just sharing.
https://www.change.org/p/dr-paul-chew-global-chief-medical-officer-sanofi-auvi-q-com-allergy-parents-want-the-auvi-q-back-on-the-market-soon?recruiter=416305046&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink (https://www.change.org/p/dr-paul-chew-global-chief-medical-officer-sanofi-auvi-q-com-allergy-parents-want-the-auvi-q-back-on-the-market-soon?recruiter=416305046&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink)
I just saw a few Facebook posts where people "tested" their Auvi_Q , injected them into a piece of cloth covering a jar. And NO drug was released. None. that is just scary.
Makes me wonder how many people have needed multiple injections or worse due to receiving zero drug.
So scary when all summer long my son carried ONLY Auvi_Q with him. The what ifs can make you crazy.
I agree I want it back, if it works. I'm the link ajas posted though I disagree with the setback statement. If what MamZu posted is true, that scares the $hi! out of me and is more than a setback. If nothing is coming out, how did it make it through testing and approval. I think I'm going to test an expired one.
Back in the late 90's there was a massive Epipen recall as well, with all of our pens being in the recalled group. We turned ours in and were supposed to get new ones immediately, which turned into "tomorrow", which ended up being weeks - because there was a shortage. I clung to my recently expired, not recalled pen like it was gold. No eating out, DS ate nothing that wasn't prepared by me (which was doable because he was only 3 or 4 at the time).
I think Mylan (why do unthinking was Dey back then?) probably had deeper pockets than Sanofi and was able to bounce back more easily. I hope they can fix this problem and start producing again. They are so much easier for boys and men to carry.
It was Dey then.
Thanks for the link. I voted! For my DD's sake, I hope they can bounce back and we will be first in line to buy new ones! Auvi-Q is less scary for her friends to learn and help her with. They are so much easier to carry!
I got a call from the pharmacist notifying me.
DS used his auvis in January and I think they were fine. When I talk to him, I'll ask if he got immediate relief. I think he ended up using both since it took more than 20 minutes to get to the hospital.
Since I don't have to send my recalled ones back (I didn't pay anything, so I don't need a refund), I could try testing them. Maybe I'll do that.
Quote from: MamaZu on October 30, 2015, 04:06:18 PM
I just saw a few Facebook posts where people "tested" their Auvi_Q , injected them into a piece of cloth covering a jar. And NO drug was released. None. that is just scary.
DH asked if anyone posted a video of this on youtube. So I went to look and I did find this video of what it should look like when the medicine squirts out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3PntHvNiTY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3PntHvNiTY)
I may try this with ours.
New scripts for Epis just showed up at CVS for DS and me. Magically from Dr. Mary. After CVS called me, I got en e-communication from our doctor telling us about the recall and saying there would be an epi script.
:heart:
Quote from: GoingNuts on October 31, 2015, 08:26:05 AM
Back in the late 90's there was a massive Epipen recall as well, with all of our pens being in the recalled group. We turned ours in and were supposed to get new ones immediately, which turned into "tomorrow", which ended up being weeks - because there was a shortage. I clung to my recently expired, not recalled pen like it was gold. No eating out, DS ate nothing that wasn't prepared by me (which was doable because he was only 3 or 4 at the time).
I think Mylan (why do unthinking was Dey back then?) probably had deeper pockets than Sanofi and was able to bounce back more easily. I hope they can fix this problem and start producing again. They are so much easier for boys and men to carry.
Seriously?? I had no idea! My daughter started getting epis around 1997. Was it before that? We didn't have internet until 2000.
It had to be between 1997-1999 because we had recently moved here, and DS was still in Pre-K.
It was 1998
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895440623631960000 (http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895440623631960000)
That's why I did not remember this....DD was born in 1999. I knew nothing about food allergies in 1998.
I know this may sound presumptuous, but I think it would be wonderful if Sean Park, the billionaire, who pledged $24 million towards food allergy research, could invest in Sanofi to help them resolve the issues with the auvi-q and get it back to market sooner rather than later.
Here's the thread about Mr. Park:
Billionaire Sean Park pledges $24 million towards a cure for food allergies (http://foodallergysupport.olicentral.com/index.php/topic,10716.0.html)
The auvi-q (if it works properly) is so helpful to teens and adults (particularly males) who carry their own meds on the go since it's much smaller than the epi.
I followed the video that Bensmom posted and fired our auvis into a paper towel. Medication dispensed. I couldn't tell anything about dosage though.
On Friday, our local school district sent an email out to every parent regarding the Allerject recall - not just the ones with known allergies, but ALL students. A parent forwarded me the school email, which had the important recall and replacement information.
Good to see the recall details are making their way out to as many people as possible.
Quote from: Macabre on November 01, 2015, 08:53:47 AM
It was 1998
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895440623631960000 (http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB895440623631960000)
Wow, I guess we got lucky. We had epi pens but were never notified of any recall. I'd remember that.
Oh, shoot, you guys, I didn't realize that Auvi-Qs are completely unavailable, that it wasn't just a bad batch they were replacing. I got the impression from the pharmacy that a replacement Auvi-Q was coming for us. They have Epipens for us. :disappointed:
Kiddo is NOT going to be happy. She has had the easiest time carrying an AuviQ in her pocket. Switching to the Epi, she already left it at school once when she went on a pep band trip because at the last minute she decided there wasn't room to bring her laptop bag along, where she's been stashing it. So we had to decide about her eating when she had nothing.
Epis are a major pain, honestly. Gosh, I hope AuviQs come back.
Mezzo, I feel your pain...ds is complaining (as only a teen can) about how awkward they are to carry.....I am back to carrying anytime we are together ~)
I hope they come back onto the market....
Epis in speech suit pockets.
Won't happen.
Ugh.
I talked to the drug rep for epi's the other day. He wanted to make sure our stock was ok. When I told him ds was one in the recall he made sure he had gotten epi's. I didn't tell him how unhappy he was to get them.
Forgot to update this: I got my new EpiPens two weeks ago when our pharmacy got their big shipment. I was able to get EpiPens with a 17-month expiry: March 2017. Wow!
Though I have a feeling there will be another huge demand for EpiPens needed in March 2017 to replace all of theses, if Allerject/Auvi-Q hasn't been re-released yet. Did everyone get the same expiry date on their replacements?
I'm slowly getting used to carrying the big EpiPens again. My back and stomach hate it: my back gets sore when sitting because I wear them in the back and it's often too inconvenient to move them to the front; and my tummy gets chafing/eczema from the belt and clip on the SPIbelt when it is worn tight under a shirt (for running, going out of the house, etc.). Meh, I just have to toughen up. I did this before, for many years; I can do it again.
I got them in late October and they expire next October. I was afraid they might become scarce with the recall so I just took what they had.
And now this - new company to evaluate possibility of returning Auvi to market.
http://www.streetinsider.com/dr/news.php?id=11352627 (http://www.streetinsider.com/dr/news.php?id=11352627)
Yea!
Fingers crossed
http://m.sanofi.us/mt/www.news.sanofi.us/2016-02-23-Sanofi-US-to-Return-Auvi-Q-epinephrine-injection-USP-Rights-to-kal-o?un_jtt_redirect=un_jtt_iosV (http://m.sanofi.us/mt/www.news.sanofi.us/2016-02-23-Sanofi-US-to-Return-Auvi-Q-epinephrine-injection-USP-Rights-to-kal-o?un_jtt_redirect=un_jtt_iosV)
An auto-injector that could fit in your wallet?
(These guys are YOUNG!)
http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/25/duo-creates-epi-pen-alternative-that-fits-in-a-wallet/ (http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/25/duo-creates-epi-pen-alternative-that-fits-in-a-wallet/)
:crossed:
That would be awesome!