Epipen expiration date. Pharmacist pulling a fast one on me...

How awful, good thing that you noticed it. There's a lesson for us all, check the expiration date in the pharmacy!

Glad you posted that experience. I would not of thought of looking at the date. I am always in a hurry and would of been ticked if I would of had to return it. I wonder if they would of or not. Hmmmmmmmmmmm

I have no idea if they would take an epi back though. In my case, I hadn't left the counter yet, so there was no way I could have substituted it for my old one.
But if you bring it back home, they'll probably accuse you of trying to pass your old epi for the new one...

darthcleo, how maddening! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img] Thanks for the heads-up!

I'm still waiting for the form to get an Epi-pen for my DH to carry for my son, I've been waiting three months almost, so I haven't had to try my new local pharmacy and see how they are as far as expiry dates, stocking, etc.

You also make a valid point - check the bloody thing before you leave the store!

I have been very angry in the past when I've received ones with a six month expiry. Now what's enangering me is that I moved, but within the same Province, and all of a sudden I need a different form than I did before - doesn't make sense, we have the same Ministry of Health still.

I used to be able to walk into the pharmacy, pick up an SAA form and have the doctor fill it out with a 'script for the Epi-pen and go back into the pharmacy and get the Epi-pen 'script that day.

Now, my doctor has to write something and send it away for a Section 8 (which I have had to use for Epi-pens in the past) and it has been nearly three months.

Best to start checking the expiry dates on all of mine right now.

But this also reminds me that I've wanted to call the pharmacy in Belleville and ask them how they were able to supply me with the SAA and I could get the Epi-pen straight away and how I've heard nothing but different back here in Toronto. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]

You would think a pharmacy would check their stock regularly to see what is expiring.

I had quite a bit of my children's Ventolin and Flovent. They had 'scripts that I got filled every month whether they needed them or not, "just in case". At any rate, here I was thinking I had stockpiled on the meds (for good reason) and I go to refill the Ventolin puffer in the little pouch a couple of weeks ago and check my stock of Ventolin boxes and three of them at least were expired.

Now, in that case, it's my fault, because I had stockpiled them.

I don't know, with everything so easily computerized nowadays, one would think that when stock comes in with an expiry date, it could be easily recorded and also easily removed from the shelf and returned to the supplier. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]

Glad you caught it. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Last time I got new Epis, I called at least 5 pharmacies in order to get the best expiration date I could. As it was, the pharmacy I went to said they could get Nov. 2005 dates, but when I got there, they could only get Sept. 2005. Jerks!

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[i][b]Allergy Patrol Novice[/b][/i]

When I've occasionally picked up Epis, I've always checked the expiration dates. Once, I got one home, when I realized it expired in four months. I talked to the pharmacist a few days later and she made a deal with me--if I hadn't used it by the time it expired, she'd trade it for a newer one. That worked well and I got one with an expiration date a year in the future.

Since prescriptions are good for a year and epis used to have expiration dates of 18months or more, I always talk to the pharmacist. It's worked out well for me.

ygg

My first prescriptions was for an Anakit. When I got it filled, I was standing at the counter and I literally peeled back the prescription label to read the expiry date (jerk covered it). It was good for a whole 3 months. I kind of freaked.

The real pharmacist came over and I asked if the drug in it went bad that quick. He said no - it had been in the store for quite a while. He told me to take it home and he'd order me a new one, and when it came in I returned the almost expired one.

He then told off his assistant for covering up the expiry date.

*******

I found them so expensive (and the Anakit is a lot cheaper then the epi-pen) and after a few years I stopped carrying it. Of course, shortly after that is when I had my anaphylactic reaction. I never believed it would happen to me. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]

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In Qu

I also called around to different pharmacies to get the best expiry date. The first 3 I bought for DS expired in 3 months, which was realy annoying since the one I carry for myself expired in 11 months and I had had it for 4 months already!!! I didn't accept them and asked my pharmacist to order more, which they did with expiry of January 06.

Keep in mind that the pharmist can return any meds on their shelves that expire before they are sold to the public (or at least in my neighbourhood (GTA, Ontario) they can)

Ali

[This message has been edited by Q'sMommy (edited November 28, 2004).]

You can always ask your pharmacist to order you an epi-pen with a better date. We used to have to order the two-packs. I can't remember how long it took, I think a couple of days.

We get our Epi-pens at the pharmacy on USAF military base. Last time, they tried to give us 3 pens that expired within 5 months. I complained & was initially told (paraphrasing) -- "So, what do YOU care?! They're FREE to you as it is! Come back & get 3 more in 3 months." So I politely explained how it's NOT truly "FREE" as we (all US taxpayers) ALL pay for them in the long run & so, let's save our Gov't & taxpayers some $$ & get fresher ones.

Sooooooo, then I got the run around and a statement of "these are the newest ones available from our suppliers." All I had to do then was ask the head pharmacist if the pharmacy & base hospital wanted me to report this through the "Waste, Fraud, and Abuse" channels, and BINGO! Magically, new Epi-pens with an expiration 15 months away were available.

JackAsses. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]

EB

Quote:Originally posted by darthcleo:
[b]I have no idea if they would take an epi back though. In my case, I hadn't left the counter yet, so there was no way I could have substituted it for my old one.
But if you bring it back home, they'll probably accuse you of trying to pass your old epi for the new one... [/b]

don't know about anyone else, but the epipens I get have a lot # on the label. It corresponds with the one on the printed pharmacy label and information leaflet with my cubs names on them. Again, this might just be specific to the ones I purchase.

Just a quirk of mine, but I copy the lot #'s to my file with expiry date and keep a record of which ones we put where. School, home, epipen carrier, etc.........

Ours have 2 numbers...

One is the rx with an expi. date -- ignore that for epi pen expir date..

The 2nd is on the box itself (or pen)?

If mine are 9 mths or less (or so), I ask for different ones... Mine are usually good for 9 mths+ (Once, I think it was close to 1 1/2 yrs!)

We get em filled 1x/yr.

Jason

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Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b]Just a quirk of mine, but I copy the lot #'s to my file with expiry date and keep a record of which ones we put where. School, home, epipen carrier, etc.........

[/b]

When our doctor gives us *freebie* samples of any medication he writes that info in our file. Says if there's ever a recall he wants to know who to let know about it. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Just to keep you updated..

I got the new Epis today, they expire in Dec 2005. But, of course, the pharmacy had neglected to call me to let us know the epis were in. Grrr...

Can you start going to another pharmacy? Is that an option? It sounds like they don't seem to be interested in your business if that's how they are treating you.