Departmental officials have been in regular contact with the United Kingdom licensed supplier of Epipens, Mylan, and are working closely with them to resolve the supply situation as quickly as possible. Mylan’s contract manufacturer, Meridian Medical Technologies is a Pfizer company. The Department has had no specific discussions with representatives of Pfizer with regard to the adequate provision and number of Epipens.

Supplies are currently available, although limited, and are being closely managed to ensure that pharmacies can obtain stock to fulfil prescriptions for patients. Officials have shared information about the current supply position for Epipens with colleagues in the Scottish Government.

The Government’s 2020 Dementia Challenge is galvanising dementia and neurodegeneration research including into Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The National Institute for Health Research, which is funded through the Department, is playing a central role in ensuring the success of this strategy. The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020 Implementation Plan, sets out how funding partners, including from Government, the life sciences industry and charities, will make this the best country in the world for dementia and neurodegeneration research. A copy of the Implementation Plan is attached. Researchers need targets to develop drugs and treatments. Whilst it is inevitable that companies such as Pfizer will disinvest from unpromising approaches, research to better understand disease processes will lead to identification of new targets for the development of drugs and other treatments.