The FDA has approved an injectable syringe for epinephrine after the makers of Epi-Pens, which auto-inject the drug, issued a drastic price hike in 2016. Those pens can cost hundreds of dollars. State Senator Chapin Rose, a Republican from Mahomet, filed legislation that would allow the use of the much cheaper syringe alternative for entities that go through training, like schools and churches.
“The maker of EpiPen jacked the price up to the point where it’s completely impossible for many families to secure an EpiPen. They expire after 6 months so just to keep someone safe for a year, you’re talking about $14-1500.”
The syringe doses would cost about $5, says Rose. The measure unanimously advanced out of a Senate committee this week. It now heads to the floor for consideration.