Soaring cost of lifesaving EpiPen fuels outrage over drug prices

The devices automatically inject epinephrine, or synthetic adrenaline, to adjust blood pressure, reduce wheezing, improve breathing, increase the heart rate, and minimize swelling or any hives that may result from an allergic reaction.

In the last nine years, after Mylan bought the rights for EpiPen, the price for this life-saving device increased by over 450 percent, from $50 for one injector to $600 for a pack of two, leaving the dose out of reach for many families.

Tracy Bush, a 42-year-old mom and food allergy consultant, told NBC News that she never goes anywhere without two EpiPens on her, something she’s been doing since her son was diagnosed with severe allergies 12 years ago.

“They did a pretty good job marketing themselves where it’s just like Kleenex”, said Vann.

Its maker, Mylan, has jacked up the price for the epinephrine injection device from around $100 in 2008 to more than $500 – a hike of over 400 percent. Many are unable to afford the cost and are now at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis.

“Amazing that Epipen prices in CA & EU with prescription are about $85”, said one of the many consumers who were immediately on the Internet to register their disgust at Mylan.

Wukitsch says the price has shot up almost 200 hundred dollars within the past 6 months.almost 400 dollars over the past several years, but the formula and active medication has stayed the same. Often, plans offering lower premiums have higher deductibles, and many options now have separate pharmacy and medical expense deductibles.

However, a new company, Windgap Medical, is now working on a product that aims to be so radically different and more convenient than the EpiPen that the FDA will have no choice to approve it, and the market will have no choice but to embrace it.

Katie called around for prices and when she called Walmart she says the woman told her she should sit down before she told her the price. “When your kids’ lives are at stake, you do what you have to do to keep them safe”.

The Mylan pharmaceutical company pretty much has a monopoly on the drug after its closest competitor had to issue a recall past year. It has spent tens of millions of dollars on TV ads and donated the device to schools across the US, ensuring it was a familiar product.

In a statement, Mylan tells CBS News that the price hike is due to “a significant investment to support the device over the years”. “It’s a totally established brand name with little competition”. EpiPens expire after a year, so users have to fill them annually.

The company offers coupons which have allowed many patients to pay nothing out of pocket.