This petition is a call to Pfizer to DEVELOP A CANADIAN VERSION OF THE 'EPIPEN4SCHOOLS' PROGRAM so that every child will have access to an EpiPen in the case of an emergency.

The information below explains the program that is offered to all schools in the United States: 

"The EpiPen4Schools® program, offered by Mylan Specialty, the marketer and distributor of EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injectors, was developed to help improve access to epinephrine in the event a person experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in the school setting."

"This access is important because epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. According to the food allergy guidelines developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, if experiencing anaphylaxis, a person should use an epinephrine auto-injector and seek immediate emergency medical care. Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector does not prevent patients from having an anaphylactic reaction; hence, patients must avoid their triggers at all times."

"The program offers four FREE EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors to qualifying public and private kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools in the U.S. Requirements to qualify for this offer include having a valid prescription. The products are available in the form of two EpiPen 2-Pak® cartons, two EpiPen Jr 2-Pak® cartons or one 2-Pak of each kind. Each EpiPen 2-Pak® contains two single auto-injectors, instructions for use and a EpiPen® Trainer, with no drug and no needle, to help patients become familiar with the administration technique.
In the event that the free supply is used to respond to an allergic emergency (anaphylactic event), qualifying schools are eligible to receive a replenishment order of EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors prior to their annual eligibility date at no additional cost."

I started this petition because I am a Home Economics teacher at a middle school (grades 6-8). I have taught many students with life-threatening food allergies and with each school year, the number of students with food allergies is rising at an alarming rate. I am always cautious when purchasing ingredients for all of my students and I do my best to offer educational lessons about food allergies in my classroom. However, in my classroom, there are always students who try foods that are new to them, as well, a student may develop an allergy at any age in their life. Because of these two factors, along with the fact that students spend most of their days in a school setting, it should be mandatory that all Canadian schools have stock EpiPens available for use in case of emergency. The "Epipen4Schools" program, which is available only in the United States, has had a lot of success and has saved many lives. Our children in Canada are just as important and we need to prove this by making these life-saving devices available to all of our schools in Canada. For student-, parent-, and teacher-peace-of-mind, please sign this petition and help make it happen!