General Discussion

icymist

(15,888 posts) Tue Sep 6, 2016, 11:49 PM Sep 2016

King County paramedics develop EpiPen alternative - for a fraction of the cost

SEATTLE -- The small plastic box is about the size of a photo frame; what's inside, however, is the picture of cost savings -- and saving lives.

King County Emergency Medical Services began producing the injection kits in 2013 as a low-cost alternative to the EpiPen, an auto-injector used to treat allergic reactions. The price of EpiPens has skyrocketed to $600 from about $50 over the past nine years, recently drawing scrutiny -- and a congressional investigation.

Each county-produced Epi Kit costs between $15 and $20, and includes alcohol wipes, two syringes, and a dose of adrenaline. Officials estimate they are now saving King County taxpayers about $250,000 annually.

"This is just one of the innovative programs we were able to develop," said Jim Duren, health services administrator for King County EMS. "By treating [patients] early, what happens is then they have a shorter hospital stay, they get back into the community in a faster time frame."

http://komonews.com/news/local/king-county-paramedics-develop-epipen-alternative-for-a-fraction-of-the-cost
Video at the link

14 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

King County paramedics develop EpiPen alternative - for a fraction of the cost (Original Post) icymist Sep 2016 OP

Good for them, AND.. Volaris Sep 2016 #1

It appears you can buy a syringe with a prescription. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2016 #2

I trust a paramedic with a syringe. Travis_0004 Sep 2016 #7

Millions of diabetics inject themselves every day with syringes. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2016 #14

k&r Liberal_in_LA Sep 2016 #3

That is how you flip the bird to the thieving bastards. CentralMass Sep 2016 #4

Fantastic Hekate Sep 2016 #5

Epinephrine is very cheap TexasProgresive Sep 2016 #6

That's what my husband does re insulin, too. It saves a small fortune. Vinca Sep 2016 #10

The insulin is expensive enough without TexasProgresive Sep 2016 #12

Many epipens alternatives are out there...but the FDA will not approve them AngryAmish Sep 2016 #8

It is regulatory capture.....great article. nt msanthrope Sep 2016 #9

Excellent link. Delmette Sep 2016 #11

chicago emergency services is dropping the pens. mopinko Sep 2016 #13

Volaris

(10,271 posts)

1. Good for them, AND..

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 12:13 AM

Sep 2016

I expect them to have their asses sued off in very short order.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,330 posts)

2. It appears you can buy a syringe with a prescription.

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 12:22 AM

Sep 2016

This might not be ideal for children as it requires a bit more knowledge to use safely. It seems a great idea for adults and supervised children:

http://www.buyemp.com/product/epinephrine-prefilled-syringe

Travis_0004

(5,417 posts)

7. I trust a paramedic with a syringe.

Reply to Hassin Bin Sober (Reply #2)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 07:12 AM

Sep 2016

They are well trained, and calm under pressure.

I would be less trusting of somebody without training, or who went through a small bit of training years ago, and may not be calm under pressue.

The delivery system is what makes epipen unique,

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,330 posts)

14. Millions of diabetics inject themselves every day with syringes.

Reply to Travis_0004 (Reply #7)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 12:40 PM

Sep 2016

I used to inject my mom. It's really not hard at all.

Probably not suitable for children but, if it means the difference between being able to afford lifesaving medication and not being able to afford, it's a no brainer for an adult.

I'd like to have some handy. A friend of a friend died last year from a bee sting. He was in a semi rural area in NW Illinois. I'm not sure if he knew he was alergic. By the time paramedics and Sherriffs arrived he was dead.

Liberal_in_LA

(44,397 posts)

3. k&r

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 12:23 AM

Sep 2016

CentralMass

(15,265 posts)

4. That is how you flip the bird to the thieving bastards.

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 12:59 AM

Sep 2016

Hekate

(90,710 posts)

5. Fantastic

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 01:53 AM

Sep 2016

TexasProgresive

(12,157 posts)

6. Epinephrine is very cheap

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 07:04 AM

Sep 2016

Vet use epinephrine is $20.00 for 50 ml. The dose is 1ml per 100 pounds. They are charging for the delivery system not the drug. I wonder if the flurry of pen delivery systems for insulin is running up that cost.

I use insulin with vial and syringes.

Vinca

(50,276 posts)

10. That's what my husband does re insulin, too. It saves a small fortune.

Reply to TexasProgresive (Reply #6)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 07:53 AM

Sep 2016

The pen delivery system is a shakedown for cash from people who need the drug to sustain life.

TexasProgresive

(12,157 posts)

12. The insulin is expensive enough without

Reply to Vinca (Reply #10)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 09:22 AM

Sep 2016

A high priced delivery system.

AngryAmish

(25,704 posts)

8. Many epipens alternatives are out there...but the FDA will not approve them

Reply to icymist (Original post)

Wed Sep 7, 2016, 07:23 AM

Sep 2016

It is called regulatory capture.

If you do not think everything in this country is rigged then you are a mark.

Please read the following link, it explains all of this

http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/08/29/reverse-voxsplaining-drugs-vs-chairs/