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Fact Based Training
First aiders can deliver auto injectors in a life threatening situation, even if they are not trained. It is called in legal terms the ‘necessity of need’. This covers the use of a number of items of medical equipment, including untrained people using an AED. If the person is going to die without the intervention, then it is necessary.
Can I use an Epipen/Auto Injector without going on a course?
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- St John Ambulance : NHQ Product Management Team
There is no legal problem in any person administering adrenaline that is either prescribed for a specific person or administering adrenaline to an unknown person in such a life saving situation (through specific exemptions in the medicines act). However the first aider involved must be competent in being able to recognise the anaphylactic reaction and administer adrenaline using an auto-injector.
- Resuscitation Council (UK)
Link : www.resus.org.uk
I come across this a LOT so let me give you some legal backup. First Aiders are not advised to give medications because of the Medicines Act. Section 58 2(b) which states "no person shall administer (otherwise than to himself) any such medicinal product unless he is an appropriate practitioner or a person acting in accordance with the directions of an appropriate practitioner".
However this is SUPERCEDED by The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997 which states "The restriction imposed by section 58(2)(b) (restriction on administration) shall not apply to the administration to human beings of any of the following medicinal products for parenteral administration....where the administration is for the purpose of saving life in an emergency" The list includies Adrenaline Injection 1 in 1000 (1 mg in 1 ml), the dosage of a standard Auto Injector. Parenternal means "Administered by some means other than oral or rectal intake, particularly intravenously or by injection".
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