Prescriptions of emergency allergy auto-injectors have increased over the last decade, according to research published in the British Journal of General Practice, but there is little guidance for general practitioners on the optimal use of these devices. The most recent guidelines suggest that each child at risk of anaphylaxis should be given no more than 2 devices […]
Auto-injectors
Grassley questions Auvi-Q’s list price, while Trump shows support for Medicare drug-pricing reform
Although Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) has been under fire for its pricey EpiPen device since August last year, competitor Kaleo found itself garnering unwanted attention from politicians this week over the price of its epinephrine injection, Auvi-Q. Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), wrote a letter to the Richmond, Virginia-based company asking CEO Spencer Williamson to explain […]
Demand for EpiPen alternatives jumps as states consider access legislation
Prescriptions for EpiPen alternatives such as Kaléo Inc.‘s Auvi-Q device have quadrupled since the beginning of this year, according to data from the Athenahealth Network. The demand for cheaper alternative devices is likely driven by revelations that Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) hiked the price of its EpiPen emergency allergy injector by 500% since it acquired the device in 2007. Generic […]
CMS nominee Verma: Mylan’s EpiPen case ‘disturbing’
Seema Verma, the nominee to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, said at her confirmation hearing that she would like to review the way pharmaceutical companies classify products as generic or branded, citing the case of Mylan‘s (NSDQ:MYL) EpiPen emergency allergy device. Mylan faced criticism this year for classifying EpiPen as a generic and paying smaller rebates to Medicaid […]
Senators question Kaleo over pricey opioid overdose device
In a letter signed by 30 U.S. senators, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) asked Kaleo Pharmaceutical to explain the 550% price hike for its Evzio opioid overdose device. The company’s product, which Kaleo sold for $690 in 2014, is priced at $4,500. Evzio is a naloxone auto-injector designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It can […]
Mylan hit with antitrust lawsuit over EpiPen device
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) said on Monday that it is undergoing an antitrust probe by the Federal Trade Commission into the company’s commercial practices regarding its EpiPen device. The Canonsburg, Pa.-based company reportedly responded to the allegations that it improperly fought off competition, saying “any suggestion that Mylan took any inappropriate or unlawful actions to prevent generic competition […]
Kaleo announces US availability, pricing of allergy auto-injector
Kaléo Inc. said yesterday that its Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injector will be available by prescription in the U.S. beginning Feb. 14th. The Richmond, Virginia-based company’s emergency allergy treatment was pulled from the market in 2015 due to manufacturing issues. The Epipen competitor device will be sold at a list price of $4,500, but Kaléo said that as a […]
SMC acquires UK auto-injector developer Oval Medical Technologies
SMC Ltd., said today that it acquired auto-injector developer Oval Medical Technologies for an undisclosed amount. Cambridge, UK-based Oval Medical Technologies develops auto-injectors for a 2-step administration of non-viscous and viscous drugs using cyclic olefin plastic and glass primary drug containers. Somerset, Wisconsin-based SMC is a global contract manufacturer of single-use devices for pharmaceutical, medical […]
Mylan’s Q3 misses on $465 million Medicaid settlement
Shares in Mylan (NDSQ:MYL) rose slightly today after the pharmaceutical giant missed expectations on Wall Street with its 3rd-quarter results. The Canonsburg, Pa.-based company posted a net loss of -$119.8 million, or -23¢ per share, on sales of $3.06 billion for the 3 months ended Sept. 30, for a bottom-line slide of -3% on sales growth of 14.2% […]
Mylan, Teva crash on report that Justice Dept. could file charges in generic pricing probes
The U.S. Justice Dept. could reportedly file charges in its generic-drug pricing probe into companies including Mylan Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:MYL) and Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA) by the end of year. The department is examining whether the generic drug makers colluded on drug pricing, Bloomberg reported yesterday. The news source said that Mylan and Teva have disclosed subpoenas and are cooperating […]
