What to Do If You Can’t Afford Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

The blog post was updated on Dec. 3, 2018, to include the following:

Teva offers a generic version epinephrine auto-injector in limited areas in the U.S. It is available in 0.3 mg for $300 per two-pack. It will be released in larger quantities in the U.S., along with a 0.15 mg version, in 2019.

Cynthia, 

No, I haven't called the pharma companies. My pharmacist is great though and he's on top of it. I wanted to see what he came up with first before trying to call pharma companies - that just seems like a runaround waiting to happen! I just found this site though, so I will keep checking back! Thanks!

KristaB, have you tried calling the contact number on the pharma company in question? They may be able to give you a timeline or a coupon that would work.

Also, could you talk to your pharmacist or doctor? They may be able to reach out to their pharmaceutical reps for answers or a coupon, or even samples of some medications.

I know that KFA is awesome about updating all this -- so keep an eye for updates. 

You're right - the pharma company websites aren't updated yet for 2018 and the coupons all expired 12/31/17. I'm trying to fill prescriptions now and don't have a valid coupon! How do I get an updated one?

Good luck in finding it, Stef! And @Parent2017, let us know how the process works. 

Yikes Stef!  We just got news that Kmart has just lowered the price of generic epinephrine, so that may be an option for some.

The doctor said he did not know about the problem. Keep calling around. Apparently, Epi pens were recalled about three weeks ago. The pharmacies I spoke to will not sell epi pens until the new, post recall, pens have been sent to them. They do not want the liability. If you need an epi at this time, call 911.

Stef

Stef - Have you discussed this with your doctor?  What about calling other pharmacies?

@Parent2017 - Welcome to KFA's support community.  Those are some great questions.  I would suggest that you post them on our support forums so that more people can give you input.

Has anyone received the "free" Auvi-Q who has insurance that won't cover the Auvi-Q?  I am planning on getting my kids doctor to fill out the form.

My insurance company sent me a letter saying they no longer cover Mylan Epi-pens as of next month, but supposedly they cover the generic.  I looked up their formulary list.  They cover Auvi-Q at 80%, which is worse than paying full price for the Mylan Epis.  They don't cover Adrenaclick.  In theory, they cover the Mylan generic.  I'll have to leave extra time in August when I attempt to pick up the school's epis for pharmacist-allergist phone tag.  GoodRx lists the prices of your various options at pharmacies near your location.

Apparently Express Scripts has decided that both the Mylan generic Epi and the Lineage Therapeutics epinepherine injector are "branded" medication rather than generic.  Spoke with multiple customer service folks as well as one of their "pharmacists" and they are telling me no generic epinepherine auto-injectors exist although they are pushing me to the Mylan generic.  The insurance coverage is of course significantly higher for generics but only if they treat a generic as a generic.  Getting the Mylan generic will raise my costs to $75 a two pack from free on the branded version due to co-pay coupons.

Sabine, did you ever talk with your doctor and your insurance company to see if generic epinephrine autoinjectors would be covered? There are two versions of generic autoinjectors -- one company's generic version works exactly like their brand name version, from what I understand.

Sabine - will the cover a different generic epinephrine autoinjector? You
doctor has to specifically write the prescription for the generic ones.
Otherwise, the pharmacy has to dispense the brand name.

Im having problems finding an insurance company that will except the epi pens I have a deathly allergy to tomatoes and chocolate and sodium nitrates the Medicare and blue cross I have do not cover the epi pens at all so I'm stuck any advice you guys could give would be an amazing help thank you 

PS ...daughter's family insurance carrier wouldn't cover the epis she needed for herself and her son because "it's not preventative"....what? really??? It prevents DEATH!

This issue should not only take in account those who have a low income. The issue is that the cost of the epi is exorbitantly and greedily marked up by Mylan! It should be ashamed! The strain of paying for epi twin packs is there for everyone who needs it, and especially for families who have more than one member with life-threatening allergies. Moderate income families are always disregarded.

I hope. I hate dealing with insurance. Why do they fight something that saves lives?
Stef

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

Hurley, here's an updated blog post about epinephrine auto-injectors ... looks like some of the branded auto-injectors will soon have a generic option. Maybe that will help you?

That's an issue. She's out until I refill hers. The insurance is more lenient with kids. They know the school requires one with the refill tag on it as does the church, one at home and one on her. I keep her epi that stays home in my towel drawer. So kind of a built in back up.
I couldn't believe when I picked up the recent brand refill, it was $600 before insurance.
Stef


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

That's scary that you're having to use your DD's epinephrine as a backup plan for you. What if your daughter needs those epinephrine auto-injectors? 

The end of last week, my doctor talked to the insurance. He got me brand epi pens back. But I am still only allowed a two pack every 23 days as their prescription plan does for all drugs. Errrr! Thank goodness my daughter and I use the same dose in epi's now. Doctor said to fill it every 23 days until I get three packs. Then replace as needed.

Stef

Hurley, ... that has to be so frustrating and terrifying! And having to buy that many replacement auto-injectors... wowzer!

I have idiopathic anaphylaxis. I'm told it's a form of a mast cell disorder. All it means is that I can become anaphylactic to anything at anytime. Example- I just had knee replacement surgery. I had been taking my pain medicine less than recommended for about two weeks. When I took it the next time I needed it, I went into anaphylaxis. Another one is sometimes I walk out the door and I go into anaphylaxis. I do have known food allergies, but I avoid them. So anytime, anywhere. My kids have had to give me the epi pen at least five times when I couldn't myself.

Stef

Hi Taric,

Welcome to KFA.  What food allergies do you manage?

A syringe can be an option.  However, in an emergency, it can be difficult to draw up the meds quickly.  I was just talking re that w an er nurse  the other day.  But...still better than not having epinephrine for sure.

Uh, just use a syringe? It's about twenty bucks, medicine included. Seriously, for a family that can't afford food if they purchase an auto-injector, a syringe takes a bit of training and provides the same medicine. Yes, an auto-injector is nice, but not everybody can afford it.

Yes, it would not fire. We tried both pens in the pack and neither would fire. I remembered I had epi pens I refilled in May before insurance made us go generic. I ran and grabbed them. It worked as always. My daughter still has bruises from where we tried to inject the generic pens a week later. I will never trust them again.

Stef

What do you mean by "not working?" It wouldn't fire? By the way, we just published updates on our blog about the branded one: http://community.kidswithfooda...costs-of-epinephrine

Anyone else having issues with the generic epi not working? We are fighting for the brand so we know it works well for our daughter. She was in a panic when the generic epi wouldn't work. She is so afraid of them now. How can I get her brand if I have insurance? Thank goodness we were home to grab an epi pen I had in the kitchen drawer!