Epi Pens: spoke to Dey about the concerns of our Food Allergy Community-I'm keeping the faith

Not long ago I posted about Dey, the maker of Epi Pens®‘ choice to cease shipping the Epi Pen® single packages.  Therefore forcing our food allergy and asthmatic community to purchase 2-packs.  There are two problems here.  First, not all insurance companies cover two Epi Pens®.  Second, some of our community can barely afford to provide one Epi Pen® for school, let alone be forced to buy two.  My fear is that folks will simply not purchase any lifesaving Epi Pens® and take  huge, dangerous risks and NOT be prepared!  Now, even though I’m not happy with this decision, there are some good lessons growing from this decision.  I was recently privileged enough to speak to a roundtable of Dey executives to discuss my concerns for our food allergy family.

Full of grace and professionalism, Dey responded to a conversation and email exchanged I had with our region’s local Dey representative.  They listened to my concerns regarding folks not being able to afford Epi pens and if they are creating an assistance program, I believe there needs to be “wiggle room” for working folks who have a decent income but still are barely making it.  I also voiced the issue of various insurance companies not covering two Epi Pens or any–as some coverage plans do not cover injectables.
Special Note:  Dey made this decision to no longer sell single packs based on the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease-a division of the National Institute of health- suggestion of having two doses available at all times since up to 20% of the population are requiring a second dose during a reaction.  I live a rather rural area where emergency response time is double compared to when I lived in a big city.  Therefore, it has been our family’s policy to carry two on each child and one extra in Mom’s purse.  Also, we support caryying two doses in case we have an accident with the first Epi Pen.  Yes, I know folks who have injected their thumb! All I have to say is that those Epi Pens are hair trigger and do their job well.   Here is a copy of the Food Allergy Guidelines for Patients  if you are interested in a long but good read.
Immediately responding to my concerns, they explained that they were in the process of creating a Patient Assistance program that will be introduced within weeks.  Wait, don’t panic yet, pharmacies and distributors should still have Singles available.  Dey has simply stopped shipping them as of August 24th, 2011.  Dey Press Release regarding offering 2-Packs exclusively. They realized the need for assistance and were working on it.  Also, they discussed a generous coupon program was also in development to be released soon for those of us who have health insurance, but do not have enough coverage to meet our needs.  Currently, I’ve been using the Epi Pen 2-Pack coupon from Medsavercard.com for my discounts.  Since I used this coupon last month, the discount has risen to up to 25% off instead of up to 20% off.  Hum…….the folks at Dey look like they may be responding already!?!?!
I also learned that Dey has a division that focuses on insurance companies and accessibility.  They wanted details from me regarding which insurance companies in our area where not covering Epi Pens®, etc.  After a pleasant phone conversation, Dey promised to be in touch as their assistance and coupon program developed and they were going to pursue and research more into my local insurance companies that were not allowing more than one Epi Pen® to be covered I learned..

• that some large companies want to hear from consumers
• that Dey is trying to step up to the plate on their decision
• that pharmaceuticals do work with insurance companies..I always thought it was us against Goliath
• coupons will be coming our way soon–yay!
• that I am forever a skeptic and am waiting to see what the assistance program will provide
• that I still worry that families will simply not buy life saving Epi Pens® at all
• that I wonder how many die from lack of one injection vs. lack of second dose

What I believe Dey learned

• that consumers are real folk with real concerns
• that several insurance companies still don’t cover two Epi Pens®
• that folks in Nevada can be feisty at times

The biggest lesson of all for EVERYONE that came screaming down this fall were the food allergy deaths of two young men in Atlanta this last fall.  Neither had immediate access to their Epi Pens.  Had each young man had their Epi Pens the outcome may have been different.  We’ll never know.  I can’t even imagine the pain their families are going through right now and hope and pray we find a cure so no one has to experience this kind of tragedy–EVER.  But…until then, we must remain vigilant and prepared by carrying our rescue medications and instructions on how to use them…ALWAYS.
I am keeping the faith that Dey will do the right thing and not limit access.  I’ll keep you posted on what I learn I time moves forward.  Until then, do remain prepared…every second counts.