Re: Campaign 2016 Part XVI: KICK THE BABY!
There really is no reason for it being so expensive, especially considering you can get a whole vial of epinephrine way cheaper than an epipen (so it isn't the drug that makes it expensive, and I can't imagine the pen itself costs more than a few cents to manufacture).
I know some guys that lead backcountry trips, often for kids. They need to have epinephrine on hand (and they can't always rely on every kid bringing their own pen). They are trained as EMTs/WFRs and end up getting a doctor to sign off on them administering epinephrine while in the backcountry or at summer camp (without doctors approval they can't even legally administer an epipen that a kid brings to summer camp -- they can 'help' the kid administer it themselves). Once a doctor as signed off on them administering epinephrine, that doctor can provide them with a vial of epinephrine. They bring the vial and a bunch of syringes on their back country trip. They get a lot more doses for way less money, but it isn't as idiot-proof as an epi-pen since they have to measure the dose. It's also a legal grey area. Many states have laws that allow trained personnel in schools/overnight camps to administer epinephrine with an auto-injector, and many states also allow EMTs to use auto injectors but. It's not really clear in some cases if a doctor can legally give medical oversight and an Rx for a vial of epi for someone to administer to an unknown 3rd party.
This is pure greed on the part of the manufacturer and it is causing safety issues / potential legal issues
Originally posted by ScoobyDoo
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I know some guys that lead backcountry trips, often for kids. They need to have epinephrine on hand (and they can't always rely on every kid bringing their own pen). They are trained as EMTs/WFRs and end up getting a doctor to sign off on them administering epinephrine while in the backcountry or at summer camp (without doctors approval they can't even legally administer an epipen that a kid brings to summer camp -- they can 'help' the kid administer it themselves). Once a doctor as signed off on them administering epinephrine, that doctor can provide them with a vial of epinephrine. They bring the vial and a bunch of syringes on their back country trip. They get a lot more doses for way less money, but it isn't as idiot-proof as an epi-pen since they have to measure the dose. It's also a legal grey area. Many states have laws that allow trained personnel in schools/overnight camps to administer epinephrine with an auto-injector, and many states also allow EMTs to use auto injectors but. It's not really clear in some cases if a doctor can legally give medical oversight and an Rx for a vial of epi for someone to administer to an unknown 3rd party.
This is pure greed on the part of the manufacturer and it is causing safety issues / potential legal issues
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