In a world where parents of allergy-prone children are reeling from the recent sky-high price hike of EpiPens, there’s a glimmer of hope. Mylan, the company behind EpiPen, has decided to raise the price of a two-pack to an outrageous $608, up from $425 just last year! This hefty increase has sent shockwaves through the allergy community, prompting discussions among politicians about the need for reform in drug pricing. Families are now in a tight spot, trying to balance providing essential medication for their kids with the strain on their budgets.
However, Dr. Samantha Wilkins, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Riverside Medical Center in Ohio, has come up with a brilliant workaround that won’t break the bank. Get this: it’s less than $10. That’s right, Mylan, we’re talking about under ten bucks!
Dr. Wilkins wants parents to know that there’s a far cheaper way to deliver epinephrine to anyone facing anaphylactic shock. All it requires is a $6 multi-dose vial of epinephrine, a syringe, and an Altoids tin—yes, an Altoids tin! “The sudden spike in price is concerning because I worry about parents who are choosing between a life-saving device and putting food on the table,” Dr. Wilkins told ABC News. “I picked up this bottle of epinephrine for just $5.89, no insurance needed.”
The active ingredient in Mylan’s EpiPen is simply epinephrine, which can be prescribed in multi-dose vials, much like insulin for diabetics. A doctor can write a prescription for the vial and syringes, and families can be taught how to draw the appropriate dose based on the child’s weight. With a bit of training, parents can easily administer the injection via syringe, and the whole kit can be conveniently stored in an Altoids tin for emergencies.
This straightforward solution highlights how Mylan is essentially pulling a fast one on consumers. Parents can keep a preloaded syringe ready to go, allowing them to deliver the medication just as quickly, if not faster, than with an EpiPen. And considering parents are already prepped to give their child an injection with the EpiPen, it’s a small step to learn how to use a syringe. For just $10, many parents would likely be on board with this option. If this sounds like you, be sure to consult your doctor to see if it’s a viable alternative.
Most schools have registered nurses or licensed practical nurses who are trained to give injections, and it falls well within their expertise to administer epinephrine with a doctor’s order. School nurses already manage insulin injections for diabetic students every day using similar syringes. Switching to multi-dose vials could save school districts thousands each year, funds that could be redirected toward educational resources.
Kudos to Dr. Wilkins for not only helping families save a boatload of money but also for sticking it to Mylan, who recently announced they’ll be releasing a generic version of their EpiPen. However, that generic version will still cost a staggering $300 for a two-pack of the same medication that’s available for just $6 in a multi-dose vial. Dr. Wilkins is shining a light on the outrageous price hikes; life-saving medicine shouldn’t be so costly.
So, Mylan, it’s time to face the music: your pricing is out of control.
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Summary
In light of Mylan’s drastic price increase for EpiPens, Dr. Samantha Wilkins has proposed a cost-effective alternative that costs less than $10—using a multi-dose vial of epinephrine, a syringe, and an Altoids tin. This solution allows parents to administer life-saving epinephrine without the financial burden of overpriced auto-injectors. Parents are encouraged to consult their doctors for this viable option and schools can save money by adopting this method for emergency kits.