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My family’s budget will have some relief thanks to news that we may not have to buy the super expensive EpiPen Jr. when our son’s pen expires in 2017. I just heard from the maker of Auvi-Q that it’s coming back on the market February 14, 2017. Many people may not be as familiar with the Auvi-Q EpiPen competitor because it wasn’t marketed as extensively (in my opinion). First, I’ll explain the differences between the EpiPen and Auvi-Q auto-injectors. Both contain epinephrine, an emergency medication for anyone who goes into anaphylaxis, due to an allergic reaction
Auvi-Q vs. EpiPen
Auvi-Q
Price: $0 if you make less than $100K a year and are on public assistance, $0 out of pocket with most insurance; $360 cash.
Size: Smaller than a cell phone, fits into your pocket. The Auvi-Q is about the size of a digital camera or a deck of cards.
Medical Expertise: Although many medical experts are not trained on it, the Auvi-Q pen gives verbal direction on what to do.
Directions: Listen to the verbal directions after you uncap the auto-injector. It will tell you how long to hold the pen on the patient’s thigh.
Expiration: One year
EpiPen
Price: As much as a $1,200+ price tag with medical insurance.
Size: Several inches long; does not fit into a pocket.
Medical Expertise: More medical experts are trained on the EpiPen auto-injector.
Directions: Follow written directions on how to use.
Expiration: One year
Here is the Kaleo pharmaceutical’s statement about Auvi-Q returning to the market in 2017 and the medication’s pricing:
“Kaléo is working with various stakeholders, including wholesalers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers, to implement a comprehensive access program for AUVI-Q. Our goal is that any patient who needs an epinephrine auto-injector, regardless of insurance coverage, should have affordable access to AUVI-Q.”
Video: Auvi-Q EpiPen Competitor
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Thank you for this! So many out there need an affordable alternative!
I’m so glad this came along. I could not believe it when I saw how far up the jacked the price on Epi Pens.
Wow! What a huge difference in price! That is a great alternative! I know several people that will want to hear about this. Thanks for sharing!
Auvi-Q sounds like a great competitor to EpiPen. It is always great to have competition on the market, especially when it comes to lifesaving medications.
Yes, finally! The greed made me all kinds of mad with the folks at Epi pen. SO glad to hear that they is a more affordable option for us!
I am going to pass this information to my friend who has to have one for her daughter. I know its been quite pricey for her, and this will save so much money for her and her family. It’s an added bonus that it can fit in your pocket.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Such a great price relief! It’s amazing to have an affordable option.
Ok, this is great news. I’m so glad there will be a new option!
I’m so glad to see an alternative. It’s a dang shame that people are so greedy that they hike up the prices on life-saving medical treatments. It’s a sad place we’re in as a society.
I am so happy there is an alternative to the Epi Pen coming. I will have to share this with my friends.
I have a couple of friends who use EpiPens. I will have to show them this. They might like it a lot better.
I makes me sick how much they charge for Epi Pens. We pay over $300 for one each year, but pay more than that yearly since we need multiples. I am thrilled with the new one that will be coming out. It seems like an awesome alternative.
I am sharing this post with a few friends who I know are searching for this kind of affordable alternative for their children’s epi-pens. Thank you so much for compiling the information and for sharing this valuable resource!
I am sure this technology will be very helpful for those who need it.
This is a well-written article.
Thank you for sharing and I am so glad that there is an alternative. This is needed!!
That’s is so awesome that there is finally an alternative available for those in need!
I am so happy that this is happening! I can’t imagine what it is like having to deal with the expense of the EpiPen as the price has gone through the roof.
Great alternative, what a huge difference in price!
I’m glad there’s an affordable alternative because that 1200+ price is WAY too much. The pharmaceutical business is crazy. smh
We don’t use Epi-pens so I had no idea about the pricing. or the difference between the types. this is great information. I’m shocked at the cost of the larger one!
We don’t use one by my little cousin does. I will make sure that his mom knows that she has more options now!
I had no idea about how expensive those can be! Considering it’s absolutely necessary for many people, you would think it would be more affordable. I’m glad there is a more reasonably priced alternative coming to the market so that more people can have access to it.
i think the choice here is obvious. Especially with the cost of the epi-pen skyrocketing in the past several months. People shouldn’t have to go without the medicine they may need just because they cannot afford it. What is this country coming to?
I was happy to hear that epi pen price tag discussion on my local news. It was nice to know that the media was adding pressure to the company to do better. You shouldn’t have to pay that much money for something that will save your child’s life. Nice to know you options.
How awesome is this for food allergy families? I am going to share this with my friends!
This is wonderful. At last an alternative!
I had no idea there was another option out there. The price of the epipen is ridiculous.
I never knew that there was an alternative to the epi pen. Thank for the info!
Everyone loves to be able to save money on something that is a necessity. Great alternative!
It’s so sadthat they would hike the prices for the epi pen making it unaffordable for those who need it! So glad that there is an alternative option!
Great product! I think it’s disgusting that the other company is pricing EpiPens at $1200. I love the idea of the verbal instructions. In an emergency the verbal instructions would work a lot better.