What is auto-injectable epinephrine?
Epinephrine is a life-saving treatment that can be administered to individuals who are experiencing anaphylaxis due to a severe allergic reaction. Auto-injectable epinephrine is a small cylindrical device that can penetrate through clothing to quickly administer the drug.
What is the Emergency Use Auto-Injectable Epinephrine Program?
This Program was created by the Maryland legislature to authorize certain individuals to obtain and administer life-saving treatment to individuals who are suffering from anaphylaxis when physician services or emergency medical services are not immediately available. While individuals can be prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine for personal use by their doctors, this program is intended for staff of youth camps, food service facilities, and institutions of higher education. The Program requires an individual to go through an approved training program before a certificate is issued by the Department, which can be used to obtain auto-injectable epinephrine from a pharmacy.
For more information specific to youth camps, please see Health-General §13–701 through §13–708 and COMAR 10.16.07.15
For more information specific to food service facilities and institutions of higher education, please see Health-General §13–7A–01 through §13–7A–09 and COMAR 10.13.04.
How can a person participate in the Program?
First, it is important to note that only an individual employed by a participating facility or youth camp can participate in the program. A certificate cannot be issued to the facility or youth camp as a whole. Please refer to the relevant sections of statute and regulations above to verify eligibility.
Second, an individual must complete an approved training course. A list of pre-approved courses for youth camps is available here. These courses may also be approved for food service facilities or institutions of higher education - please contact mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov for more information.
To have a course approved, please submit this form (MDH 4782).
Finally, after having successfully completed a training course, an applicant can submit this form (MDH 4783) to receive a certificate. Please note that a written policy must be submitted with the form (see the relevant section of COMAR for more details).
What does a certificate holder need to do if they administer epinephrine to an individual?
Incidents must be reported to the Department. For youth camps, please contact Brian Flynn at Brian.Flynn@maryland.gov. For food service facilities and institutions of higher education, please contact mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov.
If you have any other questions about this program, please contact mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov.
