This week, the pharmaceutical giant Mylan shocked many by raising the price of EpiPens by over 400%. Friends on social media are now grappling with a copay of $250 for a single pen, while reports from NBC News indicate that without insurance, the price can soar to more than $500. This steep increase leaves countless individuals at risk for potentially deadly anaphylaxis, and that’s downright frightening.
Only a parent of a child with severe allergies can truly understand the terror of such a situation. When my son was just two years old, he had a run-in with a bee at a playdate. Within moments, his skin started to itch, and by the time we got home just five minutes later, his body had swollen to the point where he could barely open his eyes.
We rushed to the hospital, where my son went into shock and nearly needed intubation. After a week on steroids (which is a whole other adventure with a toddler), he was prescribed an EpiPen.
How Does an EpiPen Work?
While my son is trained to steer clear of bees, there’s always a chance he could slip up. When that happens, I pull out our EpiPen, which we carry in a special pouch everywhere. I uncap it, sit on my squirming son (who’s not a fan of needles), and jab it into his thigh, holding it there for ten seconds.
Mylan claims that the epinephrine in the EpiPen “constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to reduce wheezing, and stimulates the heart.” However, the EpiPen isn’t the end of our worries—my son still needs to be monitored at the hospital to ensure that the anaphylactic shock is under control.
We keep two EpiPens on hand: one to use and one as a backup. An EpiPen can delay the onset of anaphylaxis, a serious condition that can cause hives, breathing issues, and swelling that obstructs airflow, potentially leading to death. The worst part? Anaphylaxis can strike at any moment, making EpiPens essential for many families.
Mylan has stated that the price adjustments reflect the value and investment in the product, but many disagree. The Huffington Post reports that the price for a two-pack of EpiPens has skyrocketed from $100 in 1999 to over $600 today. And with Mylan’s main competitor, Auvi-Q, having issued a full recall, Mylan’s dominance in the market is even more concerning.
Many parents can no longer afford EpiPens, which need to be replaced annually. Some may hold onto expired pens, risking their child’s safety due to ineffective doses. With about 1 in 50 Americans experiencing severe allergies, the situation becomes a significant public health issue.
Hopefully, other companies will step in to offer alternatives for epinephrine delivery, as right now, EpiPen access feels like a luxury that many families simply can’t afford. The thought of my child facing an allergic reaction without a safety net is utterly terrifying.
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Summary
The rising costs of EpiPens are putting families at risk, as many can no longer afford this life-saving device. As the price escalates, the potential dangers of expired EpiPens loom larger for those with severe allergies.