This story was originally published April 26 and updated at 9:39 a.m. April 27.
ITHACA, N.Y. — Wegmans, Tops and other local pharmacies are out or running low on EpiPens, a drug used to treat people with life-threatening allergic reactions.
Despite local pharmacies in Ithaca, Syracuse and Buffalo reporting shortages of EpiPens, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said there is no widespread shortage. The cause of the local shortage is unclear.
Jo Natale, spokesperson for Wegmans, confirmed Wegmans is sold out of the adult 0.3 mg EpiPens, but their primary wholesaler is expecting a shipment in the next week to 10 days. Natale said the pharmacy is in daily contact for updates. Wegmans does have EpiPen Junior in stock.
In an update Friday, Tracy Van Auker, media relations for Wegmans, said two of Wegmans’ suppliers received shipments of the 0.3 mg EpiPens and they will arrive in stores Friday. Van Auker said “Our pharmacies will be largely restocked, with product available in all our market areas. Our primary wholesaler is anticipating an additional shipment within the next week.”
Tops Markets also has a limited supply of EpiPens, spokeswoman Kathleen Romanowski said.
“Due to a supply shortage stemming from the manufacturer TOPS currently has a limited supply of EpiPens. TOPS has been in contact with its supplier, however, an estimated timeline for receiving additional product has not yet been provided,” Romanowski said.
Green Street Pharmacist Nicole Pagano said they are also on short supply of EpiPens and their wholesaler has run out of them. Pagano said shortages for different drugs are common, but said she has never seen a shortage of EpiPens.
Canada and Britain have been experiencing a shortage of the allergy drug due to manufacturing delays, but the FDA said there are adequate supplies reported in the U.S. EpiPen is sold by Mylan but manufactured by Pfizer.
In a statement, the FDA said it tracks shortages at the national level and receives information from manufacturers about their ability to supply the market. Occasionally pharmacies will report local supply issues or “spot” shortage, but they are usually temporary. A spokesperson said at this time, Mylan, who manages allocation, is “reporting adequate supplies of EpiPen for the U.S. and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
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