Food Allergy Assistant: affordable epipens

Showing posts with label affordable epipens. Show all posts

Auvi Q Re-Launch

The Auvi-Q is back on the market! It's roughly the size of a credit card and must be carried by people at risk of an anaphylactic allergic reactions. While high costs for epi-injectors like the Auvi-Q and the EpiPen have been in the news a lot lately, there are programs to help with affordability. Check out Affordable Auvi-Q Access for more information. Check out the FAQ's to learn more.

Return Those Auvi-Q's!

By now you undoubtedly know about the Auvi-Q recall. If you need to carry an epinephrine injector, be sure you've gotten a prescription from your healthcare provider for a prescription for EpiPen or Adrenaclick.

I participated in a phone call last week with a representative from Sanofi (maker of Auvi-Q) and their Chief Medical Director, Dr. Chew. While they are unclear about

the future of the Auvi-Q device, they are clear that customer safety is their top priority. They've asked us to get the word out that they want everyone to return their Auvi-Q devices so they can check them. Even if you used the $0 co-pay card and didn't pay a dime for them, please call Sanofi (1-877-319-8963 or 1-866-726-6340, 8 am-8 pm ET) for a pre-paid mailer to return them. They will also refund costs for the devices or issue reimbursement for new injectors.

This recall has been a challenge for many in the food allergy community. Let's keep working together to keep all at risk for anaphylaxis safe.

Zero Dollar Co-Pay for EpiPens!

I'm thrilled to share that Mylan has extended their $0 co-pay plan until Dec. 31, 2015. I know this makes the difference for many families between not having epinephrine easily accessible and having the life-saving medication their family needs. Thank you to Mylan for helping families!

Go to epipen.com and activate your card now. While you're on the site, check out some of the other resources, like "Have a Plan" and personal stories to share

with others.

And don't forget, practice with expired pens by plunging them into an orange or grapefruit (or lemon!) so that everyone sees and hears what to expect when using an Epipen. You can drop off the used pen to your allergist or other doctor for disposal.

Ready2Go With Food Allergies

Have you heard about the new campaign? Pro-football player Adrian Peterson has teamed up with Mylan to talk about his food allergies and his anaphylaxis action plan in a new campaign, Ready2Go. Check out his video for inspiration and then let you kids upload their own 30 second video to share with Adrian. Three winners will be chosen and those kids will get to make an educational film with Adrian.

This is such a cool way to show kids that adults and famous people have to deal with avoiding certain foods due to allergies and also need to carry life-saving medications. Hurry! The draft closes on July 15, 2014.

Adrian Peterson of Minnesota Vikings

Homemade Candy Corn and Halloween Goodies

It's that time of year again! The witch/ghost/bat decorations are out of the attic and adorning the house and I've pulled out some favorite seasonal recipes like homemade candy corn and pumpkin apple muffins.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a webinar with Jo Frost in which she shared her experience with her own food allergies, as well as some Halloween tips for food allergy families. Here are some of her seasonal ideas:

focus on the non-food festivities like mask making, pumpkin decorating, face paint, spooky scavenger hunts.
remember that different sized treats may contain different ingredients. If you can't read the label, assume it's unsafe (that piece of advice is mine).
give your child something to eat before going out trick or treating or to a party. That removes some of the temptation to eat without thinking or because of hunger.

For more information about Jo's work on behalf of food allergy families, check out 25 Years of EpiPen, and while you're there, upload a photo showing how you carry your EpiPen and Mylan will donate $25 to leading allergy non-profit groups.

Generic Epi Injectors for Allergic Reactions

There is growing concern among those in the food allergy community about the rising number of epinephrine auto-injectors coming into the market. Now, you may remember that I expressed much excitement when Auvi-Q joined EpiPen as another option for people requiring an epi-injector. I liked the idea of choice and competition. I'm not going back on that, but with two more units ready to hit store shelves, we need to make sure that parents, teachers, school nurses, coaches and others are educated about what an epi-injector looks like and how to use it.

To start, I'd like to direct you to a well-written post over at Kids With Food Allergies. "Important News about Epinephrine Auto Injectors", written by Dr. Angela Nace, of Jefferson University School of Pharmacy, clearly outlines the differences between the types of auto-injectors that will be available. I particularly appreciate the easy-to-read chart included in the report.

After you've digested the information by Dr. Nace, there are a few other things to consider:

which epinephrine injector works best for your family?
will you have more than one type of injector on hand?
what are the out-of-pocket costs associated with each type?
how will you make sure that care-takers are aware of the different types and how to use them?

One other thing to think about is that with the availability of a generic epi-injector, doctors and pharmacies may be obliged to give out the generic, depending upon insurance or the way the prescription is written. Be clear with the doctor and pharmacy about the type of epinephrine auto-injector you want.

Angela Nace is Field Coordinator for Experiential Education, Department of Pharmacy Practice, at Jefferson University School of Pharmacy. - See more at: http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/available-epinephrine-auto-injectors-new-generic#sthash.Q0OaWZpA.dpuf

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