Two Tenby parents have spoken about their concerns this week regarding a shortage of EpiPens which is causing worry for people with allergies in the UK.

Daniella Sloan, whose daughter six-year-old Ava is allergic to egg and nuts, recently set up the ‘Anaphylaxis Campaign Support Group’ in Tenby to raise awareness of the subject and support people affected by and at risk of severe allergies and anaphylaxis.

Daniella and of the parents from her support group Sarah Knight whose daughter also has a nut allergy gave an interview this week to BBC Wales, voicing their concerns about the shortages of AAIs (Auto Injectors) in the area.

“There is a serious shortage of EpiPens - not only locally but also nationally,” she said.

“This is a real serious issue as these are the life saving medicine until an ambulance arrives. The adrenaline inside them helps open up the airways for adults and children to breathe during an Anaphylactic attack.

“Each pen lasts between 5 to 15 minutes and guidelines suggests that you carry two on yourselves, which gives the allergic patient half an hour life line until the ambulance must arrive.

Daniella and Sarah’s daughters both attend St Teilos Primary school, and both are struggling to get hold of up to date ‘pens’ that aren’t out of date.

“Sarah has contacted pharmacies across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to get hold of one, so our children and also adults are walking around without the life line that keeps them alive until the medical team take over,” continued Daniella.

“My daughter is allergic to egg and nuts and can react to these with Anaphylaxis. “These ingredients are sometimes hard to spot/ingredients change or through error. One mouthful is all it takes to change a life and without the EpiPens - it’s making it even more dangerous!” she said.

The makers of the adrenaline injection pen, say the supply problems are due to manufacturing issues, whilst the Department of Health said they were working with the manufacturers to ‘resolve the supply situation as quickly as possible’, with limited supplies being closely managed.

You can learn more about the ‘Anaphylaxis Campaign Support Group’ that Daniella set up in Tenby at: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk