However, the cost of these pens has significantly increased by more than 480% in the last decade, giving rise to concerns that they may no longer be an affordable option for families on a budget, causing them to look into cheaper, but more risky, alternatives, Tech Times reports.
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The rising cost, however, has prompted some Americans who struggle with serious allergies to turn to risky alternatives such as carrying simple syringes filled with epinephrine.
Close to one in 13 children has a food allergy, and many parents rely on EpiPens for immediate relief and life-saving treatment. Some families stock EpiPens to replace them every year when they expire.
According to a report in Tech Times by Rhodi Lee, “Some families now skip buying EpiPens because of its rising cost, and this could have potentially life-threatening consequences should allergic attacks occur”.
The drug inside EpiPens is just a couple bucks.
Almost one out of every 13 children reportedly has a food allergy.
An Epipen is never far away in the Henegar household, where dinner time is a cautious time.
As a baby, Ellie’s allergic reactions were so severe that hives covered her entire body.
Both children with the allergies never leave home without their fanny packs, which carry their EpiPens.
Bloomberg Senior Medical Reporter Robert Langreth said the manufacturer of the device, Mylan has had a virtual monopoly since its main competitor launched a recall last fall.
“Within the last two months, we’ve had about three patients who had issues with the price of an EpiPen”, pharmacist Leon Tarasenko, president at Pasteur Pharmacy in New York City, told CBS. The auto-injector’s price has risen by more than 480 percent since 2009. And we actually – they did not receive it.
“Patients are calling and saying they can’t afford it”, said Dr. Douglas McMahon, an allergy specialist in Maplewood, Minnesota.
But Langreth told the news website the company hasn’t changed its device since its 2007 acquisition.
EpiPen is made by Mylan.
“This brand name, EpiPen, it’s like Kleenex to allergists”.
“It’s a totally established brand name with little competition”, Langreth said.
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According to a report in NBC News by Ben Popken, “Parents getting ready for back to school season have another item to toss in the basket along with Trapper Keepers and boxes of pencils and they’re facing sticker shock at the latest price increase”. The company said in a statement to CBS News that the EpiPen’s price “has changed over time to better reflect important product features and the value the product provides”, and that “we’ve made a significant investment to support the device over the past years”.
