On my list of things to do before my daughter heads off to kindergarten next week (sob!) is to pick up four EpiPens—one to keep in her classroom, one for her after-school program, one to toss in my bag, and one for my husband to carry around. It’s kind of a drag to have to get a brand new supply every 18 months, but the kid is allergic to peanuts, and the common epinephrine auto-injector could save her life. Fortunately, my pharmacy has them in stock. Many retailers do not.
A widespread shortage of the medication around the country is causing parents to (rightfully) freak out. The scarcity, a result of manufacturing delays, has been an issue for months, but it’s becoming an even bigger emergency during back-to-school season. This week, the FDA approved the first generic version of the EpiPen—a triumph since options are so limited—though the launch date is unclear (a spokesperson for seller Teva Pharmaceuticals USA told The Washington Post it will arrive “in the coming months”). Families need the auto-injectors now. If you still can’t find one, here are some things you can do:
Call around your local CVS, Costco and Walgreens stores. This summer, representatives for those retailers confirmed to Consumer Reports that they may have a limited supply.
Ask Mylan for help. You can call the manufacturer’s customer service line for assistance in locating a pharmacy with the devices in stock. Reps are available at 800-796-9526 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Consider an alternative. Adrenaclick is a cheaper alternative to the EpiPen, but its maker is also struggling to meet demand. Still, it’s worth calling your pharmacy to see if it’s an option. Another auto-injector not affected by shortages is the famously overpriced Auvi-Q. The CEO of manufacturer Kaléo has said the company is working on keeping out-of-pocket costs low—there’s a copay assistance program for those whose insurance doesn’t cover the medication. If you do use one of the alternatives, make sure that the staff at your kid’s school are educated in how to use it. In an emergency, the last thing you want is for a teacher to be reading the instructions.
Alert your kid’s school. If you know you’ll be delayed in getting an EpiPen, see if your child’s school has its own stash that it keeps on hand (my daughter’s preschool has one). Also, an expired EpiPen is better than no EpiPen. One study showed that EpiPens are still potent four years after their expiration date. Mylan, however, maintains that the expiration date is the last day the medication is “safe and effective,” so only go with this option as a last resort.