Walgreens and kaléo, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, are working together to improve access to epinephrine auto-injectors by making kaléo’s AUVI-Q® available through Walgreens locations nationwide. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) applauds this effort to help thousands of Americans with their epinephrine needs during the back to school season, as supply issues have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by other manufacturers.

AUVI-Q is a prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat emergency allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions. Through the AUVI-Q AffordAbility program provided by kaléo, eligible patients with commercial insurance can obtain AUVI-Q at no cost. For eligible patients who do not have insurance or prescription drug coverage, kaléo may be able to support through its patient assistance program.

“Private insurance, pharmacy benefit companies, the federal government and pharmaceutical companies must work together,” states AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “The Walgreens and kaléo partnership is an example of how cooperation among key stakeholders can save lives, solve a drug shortage issue and most importantly; grant access to patients to avert a crisis.”

For patients who are unable to fill their current epinephrine prescriptions, Walgreens pharmacists will work with each patient’s healthcare practitioner to see if AUVI-Q is right for them. AUVI-Q is available through Walgreens for patients with commercial insurance. Medicare patients should check with their individual health plan to verify their specific benefits, as AUVI-Q coverage varies by Medicare plan. To learn more about patient eligibility, visit www.auvi-q.com/getting-auvi-q.

Angel Waldron, Director of Communications
202-974-1223
awaldron@aafa.org