Effect of EpiPen price increase varies locally

Mylan N.V., the company that makes EpiPen, an auto-injector for the treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions, has come under fire recently.

The price of epinephrine injectors has increased as frequently as three times a year over the past nine years, pushing its list price for a package of two syringes to more than $600, The Associated Press reports. Mylan offered patients more help to pay for its emergency allergy shots, but it didn’t budge Thursday on the price of the product.

“EpiPen has never been inexpensive,” Deena Ring, director of special services at Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said.

While parents have not spoken to her about difficulties since the most recent increase, “over time, I’ve had parents who have mentioned that cost is a concern.”

Ring said there are several students in the district who use the medication in case of a severe reaction.

But with the most recent increase, Southeast Missourians who require the lifesaving injections have not been faced with the prospect of paying for the $608 drug. With insurance and discounts, the price tag has not been as

dramatic for some.

“Our physician gave us a savings card from the manufacturer,” Nikki Schremp said. Schremp’s 9-year-old son was prescribed EpiPen earlier this year after a hospitalization because of an insect bite. The card saved her $300 on the two-pack prescription, and the rest was run through insurance.

“Thank God,” Schremp said.

Steve Horst of Horst Pharmacy in Jackson said most of his clients are able to pay for the prescription through insurance and using the manufacturer’s coupons, which his pharmacy accepts.

“Not all of them do,” he said.

Horst said though the customer can get the prescription for little or no cost, it doesn’t mean the cost is nonexistent.

“Someone’s paying for it,” Horst said. “We all pay for it in increased insurance premiums.”

But not everyone who needs the prescription can afford it.

Brian Kiefer, a pharmacist with Jones Drug Store in Jackson, said while many of his clients can get the drug through Medicaid, high insurance deductibles mean some people still are having to make difficult choices.

“We accept the coupons, but still the co-pay was $300,” Kiefer said, recalling a recent example.

Some prescriptions went uncollected by customers.

“They just couldn’t afford it,” he said.

According to The Associated Press, at least two companies are trying to get approval to sell a rival brand or generic version of EpiPen, but none is likely to hit the U.S. market until well into next year. Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, a compounding pharmacy that prepares medicines to fill individual prescriptions, may be able to sell a version in a few months, the AP reported, and likely would charge about $100 for two injectors.

For those unable to afford the prescription, Kiefer suggests researching Mylan’s patient assistance program. On its website, the company has outlined a number of efforts it has made to help make the medicine affordable to patients despite the higher price tag, including doubling the eligibility for its patient-assistance program to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

“This means a family of four making up to $97,200 would pay nothing out of pocket for their EpiPen Auto-Injector,” it stated on the Mylan website.

Until more alternatives to the medication are readily available, Kiefer said the options are limited.

“It’s the only one like it,” Kiefer said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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