EpiPen has been in short supply since the beginning of the summer due to manufacturing issues, leaving pharmacies and patients without the lifesaving drug. This shortage continues to amplify as parents scramble to fill the auto-injector for back to school season.
Luckily, auto-injectors should be easier to come by now that Walgreens will offer Auvi-Q. This is the first time that Auvi-Q will be available in pharmacies as previously, patients could only obtain Auvi-Q through manufacturer Kaleo’s mail order program.
I have a prescription for EpiPen. What does this mean for me?
If you have a prescription for EpiPen that you haven’t been able to fill due to the shortage, try Walgreens. A pharmacist will work with your doctor to see if Auvi-Q is right for you, and adjust your prescription. Walgreens will stock both the Auvi-Q 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg auto-injectors; you will still need to order the 0.1 mg auto-injector from Kaleo’s mail-order program.
How much does Auvi-Q cost?
At first glace, Auvi-Q is expensive (around $5,000 for two auto-injectors), and it isn’t covered by many insurance plans. However, Kaleo created assistance programs to help both insured and uninsured patients.
Commercially-insured patients
The Auvi-Q AffordAbility program brings down the cost of Auvi-Q for commercially-insured patients. With this program, patients can get Auvi-Q for $0 either at Walgreens or mailed directly to them.
Uninsured, low-income patients
If you do not have insurance, Kaleo also offers a patient assistance program to help uninsured and low-income patients access Auvi-Q for free.
How is Auvi-Q different from EpiPen?
Auvi-Q and EpiPen both contain the same active ingredient, epinephrine, and are used to counteract anaphylaxis through an intramuscular injection to the thigh.
There are some differences, though. First off, Auvi-Q has a unique voice-prompt system that guides patients through the epinephrine delivery process. So, even if you have never used an auto-injector, Auvi-Q can take you step-by-step through the administration process. Secondly, unlike EpiPen and other epinephrine injectors on the market, Auvi-Q has an auto-retractable needle system that injects epinephrine and then pulls the needle back into the device within seconds.
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