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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFuck '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, weve 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, its like Kleenex to allergists, Langreth said. You know, its a name they know and trust. Its what they prescribe. ... Its 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 EpiPens 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.
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read:http://www.ibtimes.com/epipen-price-surge-causing-families-risk-severe-allergic-reactions-2402965
bluedye33139
(1,474 posts)It looked like kickbacks to me. I couldn't figure out why every child with any allergy at all was being prescribed Epi pens.
cali
(114,904 posts)Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)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:
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.
bluedye33139
(1,474 posts)Jim Beard
(2,535 posts)veterinary supply store darn cheap. We used it as an inject-able for reactions to medicines.
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)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)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)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)your doctor about it.
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)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)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)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)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)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)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)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)Turned out to be only $5
Thanks Obamacare!!!11111
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)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)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.
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.)
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)Drug Corps and 'for profit' insurance Corps have collusion with pricing that costs lives.
Runningdawg
(4,514 posts)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)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)I don't care if its "market forces" or some such bullshit, this is gambling with people's lives.
Inkfreak
(1,695 posts)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)None of these scumbags should ever control a drug price.
KeepItReal
(7,769 posts)Nobody is against a company making a profit, but this level of greed is unfreakinbelievable.