Sanofi just announced a new epinephrine auto-injector two-pack which will be available to patients on November 15, 2012 who suffer from anaphylaxis and have a prescription from their Doctor for life-saving epinephrine. It will come in two dosages for adults and children over 33 pounds. What is the most exciting about this medication is that it is the size of a deck of cards and can fit in a pocket. It also has the added benefit of having voice activated instructions on how to use it and when to call the ambulance. What is unknown is the consumer price for the medication, whether or not it comes in a Spanish version, and when it will be covered by insurance formularies. Equally impressive is the video (view here) that was created to demonstrate the product. Here is a quote from their press release:
Paris, France – August 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions in people who are at risk for or have a history of anaphylaxis. Auvi-Q is the first-and-only compact epinephrine auto-injector with audio and visual cues that guide patients and caregivers step-by-step through the injection process.
Just in time for a new school year, Mylan, makers of the Epi-Pen have announced this very important public initiative:
Through EpiPen4SchoolsTM Program, Mylan Helps Schools Better Prepare For Students With Life-Threatening Allergies
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 14, 2012 — Mylan Specialty L.P., the fully-integrated specialty pharmaceutical business of Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL), today announced the EpiPen4SchoolsTM program. This effort offers four free EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors upon qualification, which includes having a valid prescription, to public and private kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools in the U.S. The products will be available in the form of two EpiPen 2-Pak® cartons, two EpiPen Jr 2-Pak®cartons or one 2-Pak of each kind. For complete details, visit www.EpiPen4Schools.com.
Those of us managing the care of children who are at risk for anaphylaxis continue to be thankful for the companies that help our children live their lives to the fullest and provide us with the live-saving medication that we depend on in the event of an emergency.
