An EpiPen is a widely popular treatment for anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction. It is basically an auto-injector that contains epinephrine, a synthetic version of adrenaline, which is a substance that the body naturally releases when a person is feeling a strong emotion. This includes anger, excitement, and fear—causing the heart to beat at a much faster rate and boosting the person’s energy.
Average Cost of EpiPen
This type of medical treatment is not cheap. In fact, the cost of EpiPen per pack of two auto-injectors averages around $700.
Mylan, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Pennsylvania, manufactures the branded EpiPen. This is available in 0.3 mg and 0.15 mg (EpiPen Jr) dosages.
Based on the pricing provided by GoodRx, a pack of EpiPen (2 auto-injectors) costs approximately $650–735.
Below are the prices of branded EpiPen in different pharmacies around the country:
EpiPen (0.3 mg)
|
No. Of Packages |
KROGER |
Target |
Safeway |
CVS |
Rite-Aid |
Walgreens |
|
1 |
$730.49 |
$649.99 |
$671.43 |
$649.99 |
$732.99 |
$735.08 |
|
2 |
$1,460.49 |
$1,299.99 |
$1,350.83 |
$1,299.99 |
$1,465.99 |
$1,470.09 |
|
3 |
$2,190.49 |
$1,949.99 |
$2,030.23 |
$1,949.99 |
$2,198.99 |
$2,205.11 |
|
4 |
$2,920.49 |
$2,599.99 |
$2,709.63 |
$2,599.99 |
$2,931.48 |
$2,940.13 |
|
10 |
$7,300.49 |
$6,499.99 |
$6,786.02 |
$6,499.99 |
$7,329.99 |
$7,350.23 |
The same range of prices applies to a pack EpiPen Jr with 2 auto-injectors, except Safeway, which has slightly different pricing compared to the 0.3 mg variety. On the other hand, Kroger’s price differences are negligible.
EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg)
|
No. Of Packages |
KROGER |
Target |
Safeway |
CVS |
Rite-Aid |
Walgreens |
|
1 |
$730.37 |
$649.99 |
$698.69 |
$649.99 |
$732.99 |
$735.09 |
|
2 |
$1,460.84 |
$1,299.99 |
$1,429.37 |
$1,299.99 |
$1,465.99 |
$1,470.09 |
|
3 |
$2,191.32 |
$1,949.99 |
$2,160.05 |
$1,949.99 |
$2,198.99 |
$2,205.09 |
|
4 |
$2,921.79 |
$2,599.99 |
$2,890.72 |
$2,599.99 |
$2,931.99 |
$2,940.09 |
|
10 |
$7,304.65 |
$6,499.99 |
$7,274.80 |
$6,499.99 |
$7,329.99 |
$7,350.09 |
Why The Exorbitant Cost?
Why is EpiPen so expensive? The pricing actually triggered an outrage among the consumers. There are a few possible reasons for this, namely:
- Mylan pharmaceutical company, which produces the device has almost completely monopolized the market. This is mainly due to the fact that a direct competitor has recalled its product in 2017.
- The company also added that it has made a considerable investment for the device through the years. This makes you wonder how much does it cost to make an EpiPen.
- The price of medicines significantly decreases following the emergence of generic versions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been known to have a long list of pending/backlogs of generic drugs for approval the past several years and this may contribute to the situation due to lack of competition or other options.
- There is no law in the US that prevents pharmaceutical companies from setting the price they want for their products, especially for drugs that have patent protection. Mylan is patented up to the year 2025.
Ways to Save on EpiPen
Some pharmacies offer discounts, cutting the costs down to over 50%. However, the prices vary based on the dosage, the number of packs you intend to buy, and whether you choose to purchase a generic or branded EpiPen.
GoodRx, a prescription site that collects and presents prices and discounts from more than 60,000 pharmacies, in the U.S., has provided a list of EpiPen prices without insurance. The costs have been collated from several popular pharmacies that most American consumers visit.
The prices below are the generic EpiPen costs. To avail of the discount, all you have to do is print the discount generic EpiPen coupon and present it when you buy the product.
Generic Epinephrine 2 Auto-Injectors of 0.15 mg (Adrenaclick)
|
No. of Packages |
CVS |
RITE-AID |
SAFEWAY |
TARGET |
KROGER |
WALGREENS |
|
1 |
$109.99 |
$449.99 |
$206.37 |
$109.99 |
$206.37 |
$164.03 |
|
2 |
$219.99 |
$899.99 |
$350.26 |
$219.99 |
$350.26 |
$326.80 |
|
3 |
$329.98 |
$1,349.99 |
$494.16 |
$329.99 |
$494.16 |
$489.57 |
|
4 |
$439.98 |
$1,799.99 |
$638.06 |
$439.99 |
$638.06 |
$652.34 |
|
6 |
$659.98 |
$2,699.99 |
$925.85 |
$659.99 |
$925.85 |
$977.87 |
Generic Epinephrine 2 Auto-Injectors of 0.30 mg (Adrenaclick)
|
No. of Packages |
CVS |
RITE-AID |
SAFEWAY |
TARGET |
KROGER |
WALGREENS |
|
1 |
$340.84 |
$489.85 |
$470.04 |
$340.00 |
$572.33 |
$376.12 |
|
2 |
$680.42 |
$979.93 |
$1,037.89 |
$679.98 |
$1,215.41 |
$751.88 |
|
3 |
$1,020.01 |
$1,470.01 |
$1,605.74 |
$1,019.97 |
$1,858.48 |
$1,127.65 |
|
4 |
$1,359.59 |
$1,960.09 |
$2,173.59 |
$1,359.95 |
$2,501.56 |
$1,503.41 |
|
15 |
$5,095.00 |
$7,350.98 |
$8,419.96 |
$5,099.80 |
$9,575.37 |
$5,636.84 |
My EpiPen Savings Card
Due to the high costs of EpiPen for sale, Mylan has provided the My EpiPen Savings Card, which lets you save up to $300 on your Epinephrine auto-injector prescription.
However, there are requirements that you need to fulfill before becoming eligible for this particular savings card. These are the following:
- cardholders (patients or patient guardians) must be at least 18 years old and are residents of the U.S.
- must have commercial insurance, even without coverage for EpiPen
You are not qualified if you are:
- uninsured
- covered by any state or federally funded healthcare program
- Medicare-eligible and enrolled in a health plan sponsored by your employer
- a retiree covered by a prescription benefit program
- paying EpiPen using your insurance plan
- living outside the U.S. territories
Once you become a holder of this savings card, you can use it to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses to as much as $300 per EpiPen 2-Pak® carton. You are only
allowed to buy up to three 2-Pak® cartons for every prescription.
You can only use the card to purchase a total of six 2-Pak® cartons within a calendar year. And when you present the card, make sure that your prescription is valid and has a prescriber’s ID number.
My EpiPen Savings Card is not considered as health insurance. It is non-transferable, and the discount can’t go over the out-of-pocket expenses of the patient. It can’t be used together with a discount coupon, rebates, free trials, or other related offers.
Alternatives of EpiPen
Aside from discount coupons and savings cards, there are EpiPen alternative treatments that are way cheaper than Mylan’s EpiPen.
These are the following:
1.Adrenaclick
- This is designed as an emergency epinephrine shot for persons who are suffering from anaphylaxis
- The cost of a two-pack Adrenaclick is can be as low as $110, with some more expensive costs include free coupons.
2.Auvi-Q
- This is Kaléo pharmaceutical company’s version of EpiPen. Auvi-Q has been subjected to a previous recall due to a dosing issue.
- Two Auvi-Q 0.1 mg injectable kits cost around $5,125.10, which is super expensive. However, the company offers this for free to selected patients under its Cares Patient Assistance Program.
3.Symjepi
- This brand is fairly new and has only been approved by the FDA in mid-2017. Although this is not really a generic version, it is specifically made to be a cheaper substitute to EpiPen. The average cost of two injectors would be around $242.
4.Syringes and Epinephrine
- A three-month supply of epinephrine and syringes would cost just around $20.
- Use this with extreme caution as this can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know how to use the syringe.