The Emergency Medical Service Protection Association of NSW Inc. (EMSPA) is an association formed by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to support and legally represent NSW ambulance employees.

EMSPA Media Spokesperson, Grant Jennison today stated that, ?a large number of EMSPA members have approached EMSPA with grave concerns that the ASNSW has failed to protect the public of NSW from contaminated drugs.?

?Paramedics are trained to save people?s lives and to try and relieve their patients? pain. Yet, ASNSW has only now officially told Paramedics that vials of Fentanyl, a restricted pain-relieving drug, have been subject to tampering.?

?We don?t know what was in those tampered vials when they were administered to patients,? Mr. Jennison stated.

?Paramedics are extremely concerned they may have unwittingly exposed their patients to contaminated and/or substituted Fentanyl,? Mr Jennison said today.

?Paramedics are horrified to learn about the length of time the ASNSW has known about the contamination of Fentanyl. EMSPA has information that the ASNSW has been aware of this issue for years, yet processes identified by the Hon. Robyn Parker in the 2008 GPSC 2 Inquiry, have not improved the administration and security of ASNSW medications.?

?Of greatest concern to paramedics is the health of patients who have been administered contaminated drugs. All patients identified as at risk must be informed and medically examined, with appropriate counselling and subsequent testing arranged,? Mr. Jennison said.

?EMSPA request that the CEO Greg Rochford inform the public about this serious safety breach immediately,? added Mr. Jennison.

?EMSPA believes that a state-wide recall and audit of all Fentanyl vials should be undertaken by pharmacy trained staff to ensure integrity of current stock,? Mr Jennion said.

?It is EMSPA?s objective to support NSW Ambulance Paramedics and to protect the public from harm.?