EpiPens at city facilities too risky, say councillors

Making EpiPens available at all city facilities was just too risky a move for Windsor councillors who rejected, on Monday, a proposal for a pilot program.

Council asked city staff last year to come up with a report for a one-year project that would have the EpiPens, also called epinephrine auto-injectors, in order to reduce the risk of allergic reactions turning deadly.

But politicians shot down the proposed plan down Monday with many politicians saying there was just too much of a legal risk.

With a program in place, the city could be liable should an EpiPen not be available because it expired or was not replaced after being used. There are also liability issues should an EpiPen be administered incorrectly by a municipal employee.

"You will be asking, potentially, someone who is 16 or 17 years-old at a community centre to make the decision of a paramedic on whether to administer epinephrine," said Mayor Drew Dilkens, who did not support the proposal.

Another significant sticking point for several councillors included the health unit's refusal to get involved in the program. Several of the councillors said they would be more comfortable having the Windsor Essex County Health Unit to train, oversee or monitor the program.

The health unit supports the program, but refused to participate in it, according to a staff report that went to council.

Council has asked staff to take another look at EpiPens, particularly looking at the model used in Hamilton, which offers the treatments in all its public facilities.