MHRA STRENGTHENS ANAPHYLAXIS EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
As allergies and anaphylaxis continue to pose an escalating threat to public health, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has intensified its efforts to reinforce safety guidelines.
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ew figures provided by the MHRA reveal a significant rise in admissions to English hospitals due to allergies and anaphylaxis
during the 2022-23 period. The numbers have more than doubled in the last two decades.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that can occur unexpectedly at any age. Common triggers include foods, medicines and insect stings.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: • Itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash. • Feeling lightheaded or faint. • Swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet. • Swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties.
• Wheezing. • Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. • Collapse and unconsciousness.
New NHS data reveals an increase in hospital admissions due to allergies and anaphylaxis. In 2022-23 alone, nearly 26,000 admissions were
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recorded, a substantial leap from the 12,361 admissions documented two decades earlier in 2002-03. The increase is even more pronounced for food-related anaphylaxis and adverse reactions, escalating from approximately 2,000 admissions twenty years ago to over 5,000 admissions last year.
In light of these statistics, the MHRA has recently issued updated guidelines on how to promptly recognize and effectively respond to the signs of anaphylaxis.
Central to this guidance is the proper use of adrenaline auto-injectors, including Epi-Pen and Jext. These auto-injectors are prescribed to individuals at risk of anaphylaxis, and their correct use in the immediate moments of anaphylaxis can be the decisive factor between life and death.
Laura Squire, MHRA Chief Officer for Healthcare Quality and Access, said, “These figures highlight just how serious the consequences of allergies can be, and the rising numbers of
hospitalisations highlights the need to know how to act in an emergency.”
Miss Wales Millie-Mae Adams, Medical Student at the University of Exeter and Allergy Awareness Advocate, said, “I have been one of those people lying in a hospital bed after a severe allergic reaction and I know how terrifying it can be. These figures show that allergies are becoming more and more common, so it is vital that you know what to do if someone has a severe allergic reaction, even if you don’t have an allergy. It is all our responsibility.”
The MHRA emphasizes that individuals at risk of anaphylaxis should carry at least two adrenaline auto-injectors at all times, regularly check for expiration dates, and ensure they are proficient in using the prescribed brand.
By being prepared, both for personal emergencies and those involving others, individuals with allergies can significantly reduce the need for hospitalization.
NEW NHS DATA REVEALS AN INCREASE IN HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS DUE TO ALLERGIES AND ANAPHYLAXIS
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