Lowest Cost EpiPen: It’s All in How You Write the Script

Lowest Cost EpiPen: It’s All in How You Write the Script

May 8th, 2017 | Clinical Connections

Since last year’s highly publicized price hike, several new epinephrine auto-injector products have come to market, including a branded-generic of Mylan’s EpiPen. Brand and branded-generic EpiPen are both manufactured by Mylan, who proclaims on its website “the device functionality and drug formulation are identical to the branded medicine”.

Product Name AWP* Proprietary Status
Auvi-Q $5400.00 Brand
EpiPen $730.33 Brand
Adrenaclick $553.12 Brand
Epinephrine auto-injector $375.00 Branded-Generic (produced by Mylan)

*Average wholesale price for one 2-pack of 0.3 mg/0.3 ml or 0.15 mg/0.15 ml

In New York State, a pharmacist is required by law to dispense a generically available product unless “DAW” is indicated on the prescription. However, Mylan’s epinephrine auto-injector was approved as a branded-generic and therefore the law mandating generic substitution does not apply. Writing prescriptions for “epinephrine auto-injector” rather than “EpiPen” or “Adrenaclick” will permit the pharmacist to dispense the lowest cost alternative to patients based on their insurance.

If you have questions about or would like to discuss pharmacotherapy options, please email me at: [email protected]