Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Ministers are looking to private sponsors to make it easier for schools to buy life-saving “spare” allergy pens, as required under new landmark guidance. Under the statutory allergy guidance, schools will be required to stock adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for use in emergency situations. It follows campaigns to improve allergy safety after the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who died from an anaphylactic reaction at his school in Lincolnshire in December 2021. In a market engagement notice published this week, the Department for Education revealed it is considering a “potential working sponsorship approach” with device providers. The provider market “may develop voluntary commercial offers directly to schools in return for a rights package”. DfE said the intention “is to support improved affordability, simplify access and enhance reliability of supply, while maintaining schools’ independent in purchasing decisions”. Cost concerns The contract could run for two years from November. Teacher Tapp data from April reveals 61 per cent of surveyed headteachers already stock spare adrenaline devices. But there are concerns from school leaders about the cost and supply of these pens, as the policy gets rolled out nationwide next academic year. In a timeline supplied by DfE officials to NAHT school leaders’ union, it said schools must have allergy safety policies in place and “have regard” to the statutory guidance from September. But it will be the “new year” before specific duties which need new regulations come in, including the requirement that schools must stock the devices. ‘Clarity needed’ Schools are expected to fund them from existing budgets. The DfE said to stock two to four AAIs would likely cost about £300. Some respondents to the DfE’s consultation earlier this year quoted annual costs that ranged between £400 to £600. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at the NAHT, said: “Schools take their responsibilities for children with allergies extremely seriously. “While the strengthened guidance is welcome, we made clear in our consultation response that schools need clarity on issues including funding for and supply of spare auto-injectors. “It’s important this is provided as soon as possible, and we would need to look at the detail of any proposals around supply.” Two pairs of spares needed The final guidance, published this month, states most schools will need to obtain two pairs of “spare” AAIs. There are different strengths for children depending on their age. For primary and special schools, they’d need a pair of 150 microgram pens for pupils aged under six. For those above that age, schools would require a pair of 300 microgram pens. Secondary schools should have one or two pairs of 300 microgram pens. For large sites, they should have a pair of spare AAIs no further than five minutes away. Source: DfE’s allergy safety in schools guidance The Department for Health and Social Care predicted in March an increase in demand of between 50,000 to 85,000 pens for the lower strength. This rose to between 69,000 and 125,000 for the higher strength, according to documents released under a freedom of information request by Schools Week. They planned to increase monitoring of supplies from the two main manufacturers Viatris and ALK to fortnightly rather than monthly. Timing crucial Heavily redacted notes from a meeting with ALK, supplied to Schools Week, state “timing is crucial due to shelf life” and “need more clarity on timelines. Want to also give manufacturer most time as possible”. In the same notes with Viatris, which makes EpiPens, it was believed about 50 per cent already stocked the pens. Viatris declined to comment. A spokesperson for ALK, which makes Jext devices, said it “recognises the concerns from schools about additional cost requirements” “We work closely with supply chain partners to closely manage stock levels and ensure sufficient devices are available for patients, who need them. “This will include planning for changes, such as the implementation of requirements set out in Benedict’s Law and the statutory guidance.” In its early engagement notice, the DfE said it was “seeking insight into existing routes to market through which schools purchase AAIs, as well as the practical and operational considerations faced by suppliers, delivery models, and any relevant regulatory factors. “This includes understanding potential risks or constraints associated with scaling supply at a national level.” After engagement with suppliers, the government said this week it was confident there is adequate supply for these changes. State of the market The guidance states schools can purchase AAIs from a pharmaceutical supplier, such as a local pharmacy, without a prescription. They typically have a shelf-life of up to two years, depending on the device. For example, Boots Online Docter sells two pens for £140. But in the consultation response, some called for “clear guidance” around the practicalities of securing, storing, using and disposing of the devices. This included “the need to ensure adrenaline devices remain in date and that the correct dosages are available, as well as the importance of ensuring devices are available across large or split sites, requiring multiple ‘spare’ devices. “Some respondents cited issues with the supply of adrenaline devices in the recent past.” Subscription models Some companies provide a subscription service, which are more expensive than an individual pen, but include other offers such as training. Kitt Medical, which featured on BBC’s Dragons Den, charges schools £650 per year for four pens with a guaranteed shelf life of over a year. The price also includes automatic restocking, CPD-accredited training and online resources. It has signed up almost 3,000 schools so far, with another 1,000 expected to join in the new school year. Meanwhile Arcadia Medical has supplied ARK anaphylaxis kits to 350 schools in the UK since 2021. It costs £249 for a kit with two EpiPens, guidance materials and expiry reminders. Jason Webb, managing director, said they were “confident that we that we have the operational capacity to increase production and supply significantly”. The Allergy Team, a training firm, also worked with Simple Online Pharmacy to offer cost-price spare pens to schools. Under the new guidance schools will also be required to train staff in allergy awareness and emergency response, as well as creating individual health care plans for impacted pupils. Whiteman called for the government “to seriously consider resourcing comprehensive, certified training programmes for all schools”. The DfE said it was right schools dedicate portions of their budget to this as “it is a small price to pay to keep children safe”. They are working with pharmacists and suppliers to ensure schools can get devices “as easily and cheaply as possible”. A spokesperson said: “Following Helen and Peter Blythe’s tireless campaigning in memory of their son, Benedict’s Law will make sure pupils with allergies get the support they need in school, and that teachers know how to respond effectively in an emergency. “Coming into force from September, the changes mean every school must stock lifesaving allergy pens, train up their teachers, and have clear allergy policies, so no parent has to worry about their child’s safety.”