HERTFORDSHIRE, England and PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan N.V.(NASDAQ, TASE: MYL) today announced its EpiPen4Schools^® program has surpassed the one millionth epinephrine auto-injector donation through the program and that presented data at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting demonstrates the impact of and continued need for the program in U.S. schools. Epinephrine auto-injectors provided through the program have been used more than 2,000 times to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, in the school setting since 2014. 

2017 marks the five-year anniversary of Mylan's free EpiPen4Schools program, through which Mylan donates epinephrine auto-injectors to public and private kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S.* The program helps to increase access to epinephrine – the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis – in the school setting.

Anaphylaxis can occur quickly and without warning. The rate of reported severe allergic reactions to food alone has increased by nearly five times over the past decade. And according to a recent independent study, one in three patients prescribed epinephrine failed to carry their medication during a reported anaphylactic event, demonstrating the continued need for awareness and education.

"We are appreciative of Mylan's EpiPen4Schools program so that we have access to epinephrine auto-injectors in the event of someone on school property experiencing an anaphylactic emergency," said Connie Trent, RN, BSN, Health Services Facilitator, Forsyth County Schools, Cumming, Ga. "In fact, we have used the stock epinephrine auto-injectors provided through the program four times during this school year alone. Some of those being treated had never been previously diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening allergy."

More than 73,000 schools have participated in the program since its launch in 2012 – or approximately 54% of the nation's schools.

EpiPen4Schools^® Survey Results

At a poster session at the ACAAI meeting today, Martha White, M.D., C.P.I., Research Director, Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Maryland, presented new data from the most recent survey of school participants. The comprehensive, nationwide survey evaluated the occurrence of anaphylaxis and the use of epinephrine auto-injectors in U.S. schools during the 2015-2016 school year.

More than 1,500 anaphylactic events were reported by more than 8,000 responding schools. An epinephrine auto-injector was used in 83% of the events, and nearly 60% of the time an epinephrine auto-injector was used, it was an EpiPen^® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector provided by Mylan's EpiPen4Schools program. Most events (87%) occurred in students, and higher anaphylactic event rates occurred among high school students compared with younger grade levels. Food was the most common trigger, followed by an unknown trigger. Nearly one-third (30%) of individuals experiencing anaphylaxis had no previously known allergies.

"The data from the most recent survey results, compared to previous school years, show an improvement in using epinephrine auto-injectors to treat anaphylaxis, in the number of times emergency medical services were called and in the number of schools with personnel trained to administer epinephrine," said Dr. White. "This shows that awareness and education are making a difference and highlights the importance of programs, like Mylan's EpiPen4Schools program, that provide stock epinephrine auto-injectors and educational materials to schools."

In 2015-2016, use of epinephrine auto-injectors increased 19% over the 2014-2015 school year survey. The use of a stock epinephrine auto-injector provided by the EpiPen4Schools program in nearly 60% of cases was an increase of 10% over the 2014-2015 school year. Emergency medical services were called for 79% of anaphylactic events, an increase of 18% compared to the prior year. In 2013-2014, only 37% of schools had a school nurse or staff member trained to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis and administer epinephrine; respondents in the 2015-2016 survey reported that nearly 90% of schools had a trained school nurse.

Since Mylan launched the program in August 2012, the top 10 participating states include Nebraska, Connecticut, Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware and Utah.

Schools can enroll in the program by visiting EpiPen4Schools.com.

*A school will only receive EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injectors in accordance with all applicable laws. Requirements to qualify for this offer include having a valid prescription. There is no requirement for a school to purchase EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors.

Dr. Martha White is a paid spokesperson of Mylan, and Connie Trent has served as a spokesperson for the EpiPen4Schools program.

Indications

EpiPen^® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr^® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen^® and EpiPen Jr^® are intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical help right away.

Important Safety Information

Use EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^® Auto-Injectors right away when you have an allergic emergency (anaphylaxis). Get emergency medical help right away. You may need further medical attention. Only a healthcare professional should give additional doses of epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single anaphylactic episode. EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^® should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if necessary. Do not inject into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands or feet. Hold the leg of young children firmly in place before and during injection to prevent injuries. In case of accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment.

Rarely, patients who have used EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^® may develop an infection at the injection site within a few days. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.

Tell your healthcare professional about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have asthma, a history of depression, thyroid problems, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your healthcare professional all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer lasting side effects when you use EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^®.

Common side effects include fast, irregular or "pounding" heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, breathing problems, paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, feelings of over excitement, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects usually go away quickly if you lie down and rest. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

For additional information, please contact us at 800-395-3376.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Mylan

Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit; do what's right, not what's easy; and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 7,500 marketed products around the world, including antiretroviral therapies on which approximately 50% of people being treated for HIV/AIDS in the developing world depend. We market our products in more than 165 countries and territories. We are one of the world's largest producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Every member of our more than 35,000-strong workforce is dedicated to creating better health for a better world, one person at a time. Learn more at Mylan.com.

EpiPen^®, EpiPen Jr^® and EpiPen4Schools^® are registered trademarks owned by Mylan Inc.
The Mylan Better Health for a Better World logo is a registered trademark of Mylan Inc.

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