‘There’s Nothing to Give Them’: The Hunt for Lifesaving Epipens
Parents and pharmacists are grappling with a continuing shortage of the allergy shots and hurdles that stymie alternatives
Boxes of Mylan NV's EpiPen 2-Pak allergy shots at a pharmacy in Illinois; many patients say they’ve had to go to multiple pharmacies to fill prescriptions for the injectors.
Photographer: Daniel AckerA persistent shortage of Mylan NV’s EpiPen anti-allergy injectors is forcing patients and pharmacists to go to great lengths to get their hands on the lifesaving device.
EpiPens, which can help stop a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction, have been hard to get since at least May 2018, when the Food and Drug Administration said the device was in short supply. While other options are available, including an identical lower-priced version of the device from Mylan, consumers have also struggled to secure alternatives thanks to uneven distribution, the reluctance of insurers to pay for similar treatments and uneasiness with unfamiliar products.