There's an alternative to the EpiPen

Fire Dept. opts for syringes instead of costly EpiPens
James T. Mulder jmulde@syracuse.com
August 30, 2016

Syracuse Fire Department emergency medical crews have found a way around the EpiPen price controversy that has generated a firestorm of criticism from Congress and parents buying the devices for their children who experience severe allergic reactions.

The list price for a two-pack of EpiPens used to administer an emergency life-saving allergy treatment, has risen to $600, up from about $100 in 2009 The steep increase has sparked a national controversy. EpiPen manufacturer Mylan responded by announcing Monday it will introduce a generic version of the device in a few weeks for $300.

The Syracuse Fire Department expects to save $10,000 this year after teaching its 300 emergency medical technicians to use syringes instead of the costly automatic injection devices to administer epinephrine to people suffering severe allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis.

These potentially deadly reactions can happen suddenly after eating certain foods like peanuts or shellfish, or after bee stings.  Epinephrine, a synthetic version of adrenaline, quickly counteracts anaphylaxis by opening the airways to reduce breathing difficulty and narrowing blood vessels to combat low blood pressure.

A department EMT used one of the syringes for the first time Aug. 19 to save a Syracuse police officer having a severe reaction to a bee sting.

The department had been equipping each of its 40 emergency vehicles with two EpiPens, easy-to-use automatic injection devices. But the cost of EpiPens was burning a hole in the department's budget.

"It was becoming cost prohibitive to keep them on our trucks," said Lt Brian Falise.