Epi Pen

A Hot topic recently is the EpiPen. Internet memes are flying around with all sorts of claims. And, as usual, no one seems to check any of these facts, just repost what a terrible thing this is.

It is a terrible thing when needed medication is priced beyond the means of the people who need it. That said, let’s look at some facts.

First of all EpiPen was not “developed with government funds”. Sheldon Kaplan developed an injection device similar to the Pen, called the ComboPen, which delivered a combination of drugs to combat the effects of nerve gas. He did this while working for Survival Tech of MD, which was under contract with the US Army. Years later, Kaplan modified the design to allow delivery of epinephrine. To say that the Pen was developed with government funds is indeed a stretch.

As for the despicable price gauging by Mylan, that is a case of brand name recognition and clever marketing. There have been other options in the market, but most have been withdrawn for lack of sales. At present, there is just one similar product “Adrenaclick”, which sells for $145 per pen. Still not cheap, but less expensive than the current $600 price tag for the 2-pack EpiPen. The 2-pack or multi-pack is a common marketing scheme to increase sales. Sadly, most MDs have not heard of this alternative device and just prescribe the EpiPen. Since the “Adrenaclick” is not a generic, it can’t be substituted at the pharmacy.

It is true that Mylan’s CEO is the daughter of a US Senator, but again, to say that he “passed legislation to require the EpiPen” is an exaggeration. He was a co-sponsor of the bill, along with five others, which mandates epinephrine devices in schools and other public places. The lobbying effort to promote the legislation was done by the same firm which got defibrillator places in public places. The bill does not specify use of the “EpiPen”, only a generic device to deliver epinephrine. However, the result was a huge boost to EpiPen sales , due to its name recognition.

Another meme states that the EpiPen costs less than $1 to manufacture. It is true that the drug contained in the pen costs about 30 cents. But, the complexity of the device, which must be manufactured to surgical standards must be well above $1.

Other memes deal with the CEO’s large bonuses and salary increases. Well, she did an insidiously masterful job of marketing and lobbying for the legislation that boosted sales through the roof. I can’t see how any company justifies paying hundreds of millions to a CEO, but she delivered the goods for her company.

Please don’t take any of the above as advocacy for Mylan. They have taken advantage of a situation in a shameful way. I despise what they have (all very legally) done. But, “let’s stick to the facts”, as Elwood Dowd suggested. And, for Heaven’s Sake, if you need an “EpiPen”, tell your MD to specify the “Adrenaclick” and save some money.