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cali

(114,904 posts)
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 08:30 AM Aug 2016

Fuck 'em: EpiPen Price Surge Causing Families To Risk Severe Allergic Reactions

Bad as Martin Shkreli. Greedy pigs and nothing but.


Epinephrine-dispensing EpiPens have become a necessity for families with children suffering from severe allergies. However, as the price of EpiPen surges, the potentially life-saving medicine is being given a skip by users who have to make a choice between being broke or risking an attack.

In cases of severe allergic reactions, the synthetic adrenaline in EpiPens is used to counter effects like wheezing, uneven breathing, increased or decreased heart rate, swelling and other reactions. While a two-pack of EpiPens cost pharmacies about $100 in 2009, the prices have risen by more than 480 percent to its current price of more than $600, CBS News reported.


“If they don't have [the EpiPen], it could mean life or death,” pharmacist Leon Tarasenko of Pasteur Pharmacy in New York City told CBS. “Within the last two months, we’ve had about three patients who had issues with the price of an EpiPen,” Tarasenko said. “They did not receive it. They just refused to take it.”

While the actual price of the drug is only a few dollars, Mylan — the manufacturer of EpiPen — has few competitors in the field. CBS cited Bloomberg senior medical reporter Robert Langreth who said no significant changes have been made to the device since 2007 other than good marketing.

“This brand name, EpiPen, it’s like Kleenex to allergists,” Langreth said. “You know, it’s a name they know and trust. It’s what they prescribe. ... It’s a totally established brand name with little competition,” Langreth added. “That gives them freedom to raise the price every year.”

Tech Times reported a 67 percent increase in the number of people using Epipens over the past seven years, making the device the main source of revenue for Mylan. The pharmaceutical company told CBS that EpiPen’s price “has changed over time to better reflect important product features and the value the product provides,” as the company “made a significant investment to support the device over the past years.”


<snip>

read:http://www.ibtimes.com/epipen-price-surge-causing-families-risk-severe-allergic-reactions-2402965

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Fuck 'em: EpiPen Price Surge Causing Families To Risk Severe Allergic Reactions (Original Post) cali Aug 2016 OP
When I work with foster kids, I saw doctors prescribing this to every child bluedye33139 Aug 2016 #1
I have no idea. My concern- and contempt- remains on Mylan cali Aug 2016 #2
Because children with developing allergies are the most likely to die from exposure. Yo_Mama Aug 2016 #16
Arguably epinephrine is no longer so underprescribed as it was in 2008 bluedye33139 Aug 2016 #19
You can or used to be able to buy epinephrine at the Jim Beard Aug 2016 #23
Poor kids are enormously more likely to have asthma and life threatening allergies LeftyMom Aug 2016 #20
Pharmaceutical companies are one of the major causes for soaring health care costs.... pipoman Aug 2016 #3
There is an alternative OneBlueDotBama Aug 2016 #4
Is that widely known? I assume that it's medically safe and that you have consulted cali Aug 2016 #5
Yes OneBlueDotBama Aug 2016 #6
Thanks, OneBlue and Cali, for the information here. Hortensis Aug 2016 #13
From Wiki OneBlueDotBama Aug 2016 #8
The whole point of an epipen is portability and ease of use. LeftyMom Aug 2016 #18
Insulated bag OneBlueDotBama Aug 2016 #21
Certainly, and sometimes the less convenient option is an enormous savings. LeftyMom Aug 2016 #22
You're absolutely right.......... mrmpa Aug 2016 #26
I take it you have never experienced anaphylactic shock Ruby the Liberal Aug 2016 #28
I had to buy 2 new EpiPens last month - and expected to get clobbered with a huge copay jpak Aug 2016 #7
You bet! :) Even if we get the Senate, it's probably going Hortensis Aug 2016 #11
I have been through similar situations PatSeg Aug 2016 #9
Same here. hunter Aug 2016 #12
Years ago PatSeg Aug 2016 #14
This epi pen and emergency epi. asthma inhaler should be over the counter & dirt cheap Sunlei Aug 2016 #10
I have an allergy to nuts (not peanuts - tree nuts) Runningdawg Aug 2016 #15
I'm so sorry to hear that. smirkymonkey Aug 2016 #30
This is why we need to institute price controls on medication, this shit should be illegal... Humanist_Activist Aug 2016 #17
I need them for a severe allergy to wasps & hornets. Inkfreak Aug 2016 #24
Evil pure evil. Must take a real POS to be that way too. JanMichael Aug 2016 #25
A $1 dosage of a drug... In France they had revolutions over stuff like this. KeepItReal Aug 2016 #27
Criminal. nt Laffy Kat Aug 2016 #29
Vultures: "Let us prey." moondust Aug 2016 #31

bluedye33139

(1,474 posts)
1. When I work with foster kids, I saw doctors prescribing this to every child
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 08:54 AM
Aug 2016

It looked like kickbacks to me. I couldn't figure out why every child with any allergy at all was being prescribed Epi pens.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
16. Because children with developing allergies are the most likely to die from exposure.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 02:00 PM
Aug 2016

One time the allergic reaction may be mild. The next time it may be fatal. Once a person has had an acute non-local allergic reaction to an allergen which the person can not necessarily avoid (e.g. bee sting vs antibiotic), most doctors will automatically prescribe rescue epinephrine. In children who have a history of asthma, development of systemic allergies generally implies a higher probability of future severe anaphylaxis, and the consensus is that these children should have the EpiPen and that schools or guardians should administer it at the first sign of systemic reaction.

The EpiPen is only used as a rescue option for acute attacks, so by not prescribing it for a patient who might need it, you are needlessly risking death or severe anoxic injury (brain damage).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3666145/
This is from 2008:

A committee of anaphylaxis experts assembled by the World Allergy Organization has examined the evidence from the medical literature concerning the appropriate use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis. The committee strongly believes that epinephrine is currently underused and often dosed suboptimally to treat anaphylaxis, is underprescribed for potential future self-administration, that most of the reasons proposed to withhold its clinical use are flawed, and that the therapeutic benefits of epinephrine exceed the risk when given in appropriate intramuscular doses.


Once a child develops "allergies", most often there are systemic immune changes which lead to increasing sensitivity. Waiting until AFTER the first anaphylactic reaction occurs to prescribe rescue ephinephrine would involve a high risk of death to the patient if such a reaction occurs. Unfortunately, even with correct usage, deaths do occur.
 

Jim Beard

(2,535 posts)
23. You can or used to be able to buy epinephrine at the
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 04:50 PM
Aug 2016

veterinary supply store darn cheap. We used it as an inject-able for reactions to medicines.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
20. Poor kids are enormously more likely to have asthma and life threatening allergies
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 04:27 PM
Aug 2016

I've seen some arguments that it's a product of living in dodgy housing and exposure to mold and roaches in particular, but I don't think anybody entirely knows why.

edit: I used to work for a foster agency. I certainly wouldn't count on most of our foster parents to keep kids with allergies safe, because honestly most of them were child farming fuckwits.

 

pipoman

(16,038 posts)
3. Pharmaceutical companies are one of the major causes for soaring health care costs....
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:27 AM
Aug 2016

The prices they charge in the US should be based on the lowest price they charge on the planet. They can't be trusted to set fair pricing, we can't allow an industry to drive our health care system.

OneBlueDotBama

(1,381 posts)
4. There is an alternative
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:28 AM
Aug 2016

We keep 4 glass ampules of Adrenalin in the fridge with what are basically insulin syringes. When they become discolored we toss them and replace. They cost about $5. each.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
5. Is that widely known? I assume that it's medically safe and that you have consulted
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:31 AM
Aug 2016

your doctor about it.

OneBlueDotBama

(1,381 posts)
6. Yes
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:38 AM
Aug 2016

My SIL is a doc and supplies these to all family members. The product is the exactly the same as an EpiPen, only difference is you have to fill the syringe and if possible hold the ampule under your armpit for a minute to warm it prior to injection. We have two family members who have nasty reactions to bee stings.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
13. Thanks, OneBlue and Cali, for the information here.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:18 AM
Aug 2016

My husband almost died last year from his first-ever analphylactic reaction to an insect bite. From 0 allergies to anything in over 7 decades to foaming-at-the-mouth blood pressure crash.

A month or so ago one of the 2 EpiPens he carries with him was lost. I wondered how since it's never taken out and the thought crossed my mind that it could have been stolen, but it seemed improbable. Now that seems much more of a possibility.

OneBlueDotBama

(1,381 posts)
8. From Wiki
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:43 AM
Aug 2016

Cost

The wholesale cost of epinephrine in the developing world is between US$0.10 and US$0.95 a vial.[12] An autoinjector for anaphylaxis, as of 2015 in the United States, costs about 100 USD.[1] In 2016 this increased to about 600 USD.[13]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epinephrine

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
18. The whole point of an epipen is portability and ease of use.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 04:20 PM
Aug 2016

Your solution only works if the emergency happens at home while somebody is at home who knows how to administer adrenalin in this manner.

Since most of the people in need of an epipen are children and since children's diets and other exposures are hardest to control away from home or hovering parents that's really not a realistic solution at all.

OneBlueDotBama

(1,381 posts)
21. Insulated bag
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 04:28 PM
Aug 2016

Insulated bag with 2 doses. one learns where the fire stations are, one learns where doc in the box clinics are, emergency depts etc.
No difference between a 2 dose epi pen at all. Pharm houses are trying to sell all sorts of great new fantastic stuff, diabetics are getting the same crap tossed their way as well.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
22. Certainly, and sometimes the less convenient option is an enormous savings.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 04:41 PM
Aug 2016

I'm all for measuring the large animal dose of my dog's heartworm preventative out instead of giving him the pre-measured dog treat to save $50/mo.

Sometimes the older, less inconvenient way is great. But the idea that kids are going to reliably run around with an insulated bag and a needle and that whatever adult happens to be around is going to be able or willing to handle that in an emergency is unrealistic and dangerous.

When I was a kid one of my classmates was diabetic, and when she went to camp or on some field trip she always had to bring along a family member just to deal with her blood sugar situation. Fortunately her family was able to do that but not all families could and a lot of kids in her position had to be a patient when it came into conflict with being a kid. Having pre-measured idiot-proof stuff for kids allows kids to lead more normal lives and it keeps them safe.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
26. You're absolutely right..........
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 07:40 PM
Aug 2016

I am a diabetic and currently the cost for my novolog and lantus is nothing. However in 5 years when I'm on medicare, I will not be able to afford either. A one month supply of the novolog pen is roughly $500 and the lantus is $450. That amount will be all of my social security.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
28. I take it you have never experienced anaphylactic shock
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 08:02 PM
Aug 2016

Let me assure you - you would be doing GREAT just to dial a phone much less fill a syringe from a vial and inject it so that it doesn't enter a vein (which could be as deadly as ODing on it).

Epipens don't need refrigeration and are single-dose aim and click into the thigh.

jpak

(41,756 posts)
7. I had to buy 2 new EpiPens last month - and expected to get clobbered with a huge copay
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 09:40 AM
Aug 2016

Turned out to be only $5

Thanks Obamacare!!!11111

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
11. You bet! :) Even if we get the Senate, it's probably going
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:07 AM
Aug 2016

to be a huge uphill battle to get controls on most pharmaceuticals. But these exercises in pure greed taken to evil degrees have to stop. Even for those insured the insurance companies pay what they have to and then distribute the costs among their policyholders.

PatSeg

(47,282 posts)
9. I have been through similar situations
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:01 AM
Aug 2016

with asthma medications. It should be criminal to raise prices like this on needed medications. We need single payer health care that regulates prices of medications and medical procedures and tests. Health care is suppose to be a service, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

hunter

(38,303 posts)
12. Same here.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:15 AM
Aug 2016

Even with insurance my inhalers are $180.

I've got to wonder how that's so when the same basic meds are now sold over-the-counter for nasal allergies for less than twenty dollars. (Of course the nasal meds can't be used as inhalers because they add sticky stuff to the mix to keep it in your sinuses.)

PatSeg

(47,282 posts)
14. Years ago
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:41 AM
Aug 2016

I was prescribed a steroid inhaler that retailed for about $75. In a couple years, the retail price went up to almost $300. Meanwhile, the standard bronchodilator inhalers were not making enough money for them at $15 a pop, so they lobbied to make CFC inhalers illegal (they care so much about the environment you know), so they could come up with new more expensive HFA inhalers. They needed new patents and with millions of people relying on the inhalers, they were assured huge profits. The new inhalers not only cost 3 or 4 times as much, but they weren't as effective as the old ones, causing serious medical problems with some patients.

As a resident of the United States, I very literally cannot afford to be sick. Evidently breathing is only for those who can afford it.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
10. This epi pen and emergency epi. asthma inhaler should be over the counter & dirt cheap
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:02 AM
Aug 2016

Drug Corps and 'for profit' insurance Corps have collusion with pricing that costs lives.

Runningdawg

(4,514 posts)
15. I have an allergy to nuts (not peanuts - tree nuts)
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 01:23 PM
Aug 2016

I stopped carrying the pen when the HOSPITAL I worked for removed it from the list of drugs they would pay for. Benadryl and luck, that's the best I can do....

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
30. I'm so sorry to hear that.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 11:17 PM
Aug 2016

My niece needs them them too as she is deathly allergic to all tree nuts. This just makes me so effing angry!!!

This is a matter of life and death! What on earth is wrong with these people?

 

Humanist_Activist

(7,670 posts)
17. This is why we need to institute price controls on medication, this shit should be illegal...
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 03:06 PM
Aug 2016

I don't care if its "market forces" or some such bullshit, this is gambling with people's lives.

Inkfreak

(1,695 posts)
24. I need them for a severe allergy to wasps & hornets.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 07:31 PM
Aug 2016

My wife found a coupon online that's available to all epipen users. I'm think I paid $10 for a 2pack. I'll have to check with her and see what it was.

JanMichael

(24,874 posts)
25. Evil pure evil. Must take a real POS to be that way too.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 07:36 PM
Aug 2016

None of these scumbags should ever control a drug price.

KeepItReal

(7,769 posts)
27. A $1 dosage of a drug... In France they had revolutions over stuff like this.
Wed Aug 17, 2016, 07:46 PM
Aug 2016

Nobody is against a company making a profit, but this level of greed is unfreakinbelievable.

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