Thanks Adi, I might well try that

Pict, I really hope neither of us have to use the pens, but thank you for adding your experiences; I admit I have wondered just what it might feel like to both need and have administered the epipen.

Have you looked at the research results from the American military testing of 'out of date' pharmaceuticals ?
Makes for very interesting reading. Apart from nitroglycerine heart medicines, insulin, liquid anti biotics and certain water purification tablets, virtually all pharmaceuticals are thoroughly effective beyond their supposed 'expiry' dates. Apparantly dispensing chemists routinely put the date at a year from date they re-packaged or sold the drugs, regardless of the manufacturer's own expiry dates.
The research has literally saved the American military millions of dollars with no loss of efficacy of the medicines.

cheers,
Toddy