EpiPen Price Hike Has Some Crossing Mexico Border Seeking a Cheaper Alternative Oscar Margain - KENS
go to original October 4, 2016

The controversial price hike of the life-saving EpiPen has outraged many families who cannot afford to buy it. Now some families are daring to go into Mexico to find an alternative to the expensive device.

A dose of epinephrine, or adrenaline, can either save a life or cause a death, and its cost can have the same result.

Dr. Noel Rodriguez is an allergist practicing in Mexico, where EpiPens don’t exist. Epinephrine cannot be found in pharmacies there. Rather, they are given by the doctor in vials along with a syringe for patients to take home.

“I don’t understand why it’s so expensive,” he said. “In 15 to 20 minutes, a person dies if he doesn’t get the epinephrine.”

About 4 out of 10 of Dr. Rodriguez’s patients are Americans seeking an alternative to the costly EpiPen, the cost of which has nearly tripled in price over the summer.

He says that he gives vials of epinephrine at no additional cost to the treatment. A visit to Dr. Rodriguez comes out to about $50 USD. Pharmaceuticals sell him vials at $2 USD a piece compared to $600 USD for a pack of two EpiPens.

Read the rest at KENS

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