Anaphylactic Attacks (Hansard, 15 October 2002)

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department has given to pharmacies to have epipens available to treat anaphylactic attacks; [73900]
(2) what requirements there are for pharmacies to have epipens available to treat anaphylactic attacks. [73899]

§ Mr. Lammy
The Department has not given any advice to pharmacies that requires them to have eipipens available to treat anaphylactic shock. As epipens are prescribable items we would expect pharmacies to stock them as a matter of course.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in their code of ethics refers to emergencies and states "Pharmacists must assist persons in need of emergency first aid or medical treatment whether by administering first aid within their competence or by summoning assistance and or the emergency services".

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has given to(a) nursery and (b) primary schools about special measures for children susceptible to (i) anaphylactic shocks and (ii) other allergies. [73897]

§ Mr. Lammy
In 1996 the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment issued joint guidance onSupporting pupils with medical needs in 807W schools. The guidance, which was sent to health authorities and local education authorities, covers treatment and the development of healthcare plans for pupils suffering from potentially life threatening medical conditions, including anaphylaxis. Although aimed primarily at schools the guidance was also recommended to special schools, nursery schools and further education colleges.

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability in(a) schools, (b) chemists, (c) restaurants and (d) doctor's surgeries of epipens to treat anaphylactic shocks. [73898]

§ Mr. Lammy
In 1996 the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment issued joint guidance onSupporting pupils with medical needs in schools. The guidance, which was sent to health authorities and local education authorities, covers treatment and the development of healthcare plans for pupils suffering from potentially life threatening medical conditions, including anaphylaxis. Although aimed primarily at schools the guidance was also recommended to special schools, nursery schools and further education colleges.
The Department has not assessed pharmacies regarding the availability of epipens. As epipens are prescribable items we would expect pharmacies to stock them as a matter of course. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in their code of ethics refers to emergencies and states "Pharmacists must assist persons in need of emergency first aid or medical treatment whether by administering first aid within their competence or by summoning assistance and or the emergency services".
There has been no assessment of the availability of epipens in restaurants and doctors' surgeries.