By: John Stewart August 21, 2007 12:12 PM - Most Canadians who could die from a severe allergic reaction do not carry with them medication that could save their lives, a survey by a Mississauga pharmaceutical company has found.
The survey of 1,502 Canadians released today was commissioned by King Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Anaphylaxis Canada. It shows that only one-in-five Canadians at risk for an anaphylactic attack remember to carry an epinephrine auto-injector (better known by the brand name Epipen)‚ with them at all times.
An injection of epinephrine is the definitive treatment for someone experiencing an anaphylactic attack, which can be fatal in minutes if untreated.
The survey, done by Leger Marketing OmniCan, found Canadians know little about how to treat allergic reactions, which can be triggered in some people by something as simple as a bee sting or taking a bite of something which contains nuts.
Ninety-seven per cent of Canadians know that such incidents can be fatal but just 45 per cent know that immediate administration of medicine through the pen, which is injected into the thigh, is the best treatment.
“The results of this survey emphasize the need to educate Canadians about life-threatening allergies and how we can all work together as a community to protect the safety of people who are at risk,” says Laurie Harada, executive director of Anaphylaxis Canada.
“Since it is often difficult for people to avoid exposure to different allergens, it is important to make sure that an allergic person’s family, friends, and teachers are educated about their allergies. These people should be ready to assist in the event of an emergency.”
One to two per cent of Canadians, or about 600,000 people, are at risk because of common triggers such as food, exercise, drugs, insect stings and latex.
People experiencing anaphylaxis should use an epinephrine auto-injector at the earliest signs of reaction and then call 911 or be taken to an emergency room.
Other results of the survey found that: 60 per cent of Canadians support a peanut ban in schools and child care centres, but only 27 percent support a peanut ban in all public places; seven out of 10 Canadians agree that restaurants and cafeterias should be required to list all ingredients on their menu products, even if it costs diners more; and, 50 per cent of respondents think the food industry is doing a good job of  declaring dangerous allergens on package labels.