Short supply of potentially life-saving EpiPen impacting families across metro

ATLANTA — An EpiPen shortage continues for those who have severe allergic reactions.

Channel 2 anchor Craig Lucie talked with a frustrated family, and they said they go through the same process every year.

“I have a lot of anxiety. I’m frustrated,” Noelani Anderson said.

Anderson is frustrated because the EpiPen shortage is nothing new for her. Epinephrine is a medication that treats severe allergic reactions.

“This is something for the safety of my child,” Anderson said.

Her 8-year-old son has severe allergic reactions if he’s stung by a wasp or bee, so the family must have at least two EpiPens around.

“This is a ‘I need it, I need it now,’” Anderson said.

But when she goes to the pharmacy, it’s the same message.

“I went to pick up the EpiPen for my son for camp, and they didn’t have it,” Anderson said.

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The ongoing shortage of epinephrine injectors has lasted more than a year.

“We do this every year,” Anderson said.

When Lucie did a report last summer, it was a critical situation where the Food and Drug Administration said people like Anderson could keep certain types of EpiPens four months longer than their expiration date.

But since then, the FDA has approved two more types, including Auvi-Q. (CLICK HERE for more information on Auvi-Q)

An EpiPen injector is covered if you have insurance.

Ira Katz, of Little Five Points Pharmacy, said if you find yourself without one, you do have options until you can seek medical help.

“Make sure to keep Benadryl around,” Katz said.

If you or your child has severe allergic reactions and can't get an EpiPen, here's more information you need to know.

Cox Media Group