An EpiPen is a device that injects the correct dose of epinephrine for those who have severe allergies (Flows, 2016). Epinephrine is a hormone that is naturally created in our bodies to uses for fight or flight reactions. Epinephrine does many things however one of the most important things it does is open up the airways (Flows, 2016). One who has a severe allergic reaction can experience sudden constriction of the airways, which means that a dose of epinephrine can be lifesaving (Flows, 2016). The first epinephrine autoinjector came on the market in 1997. In 2007, Mylan Pharmaceuticals became the only seller. Eventually, creating a 500% price increase for the EpiPen (Flows, 2016). There are other companies who could be potential competitors …show more content…
With regards to the idea of price regulating the EpiPen or not there are pros and cons to both sides. One could argue that the EpiPen should be regulated because one cannot choose to have a life-threatening allergy, resulting in epinephrine to be a drug that is required to live if something was to happen (Rashid, 2017). If one has a life-threatening allergy they would need epinephrine in case they were to go into anaphylactic shock. Due to the short-shelf life that epinephrine has, individuals who require epinephrine need to be able to purchase the EpiPen regularly (Rashid, 2017). If there is not a price regulation the price of the EpiPen can continue to increase which can cause those who need it to not be able to afford it (Rashid, 2017). In 2013, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act was passed (Costales, 2016). This encouraged states to make the EpiPen available in schools as well as training staff on the proper use of the EpiPen (Costales, 2016). This alone shows the importance of the EpiPen and that they need to be readily …show more content…
Epinephrine does many things however one of the most important things it does is open up the airways (Flows, 2016). One who has a severe allergic reaction can experience sudden constriction of the airways, which means that a dose of epinephrine can be lifesaving (Flows, 2016). The first epinephrine autoinjector came on the market in 1997. In 2007, Mylan Pharmaceuticals became the only seller of the EpiPen, eventually creating a 500% price increase for the EpiPen (Flows, 2016). There are other companies who could be potential competitors of the EpiPen, however they have been turned down by the FDA (Flows, 2016). What makes the EpiPen so special is not the epinephrine itself, but the autoinfection of the correct dose without taking much time (Carroll, 2016). Epinephrine does not have too long of a shelf life, resulting in the need to be replaced each year (Rashid, 2017). There are reasons why the EpiPen should be price regulated and reasons why it should not be. One could argue that the EpiPen should be regulated because one cannot choose to have a life-threatening allergy, resulting in epinephrine to be a drug that is required to live if something was to happen (Rashid, 2017). If one has a life-threatening allergy they would need epinephrine in case they were to go into anaphylactic shock. One could argue against the price regulation of