Millions of people with severe allergies carry EpiPens to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions. But as the prices of these auto-injectors have soared, more than quintupling since 2004, many emergency medical responders — and some regular families — are turning to manual syringes as a cheaper alternative.
That’s raising concern among some doctors and patient advocates, who warn that it’s more complicated to get the correct dose and administer it safely with a syringe.
“Anyone using this approach would require extensive medical training to do it effectively and safely, without contamination or accidental intravenous injection,” said Dr. James Baker, Jr., the CEO and chief medical officer of Food Allergy Research & Education. The organization’s corporate sponsors include Mylan, which manufactures the EpiPen, and Sanofi, which used to sell a competitor.
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