What is Viatris Pharmaceuticals EpiPen 2-Pak?
Viatris Pharmaceuticals is a company that produces EpiPen 2-Pak auto-injectors, which are used to administer epinephrine in emergency situations like anaphylaxis. EpiPen 2-Pak cartons include two EpiPen auto-injectors that should be carried around at all times by people who are at risk of severe allergic reactions. The company offers savings programs and a patient assistance program to help eligible patients reduce the out-of-pocket costs of their EpiPen 2-Pak purchases. The EpiPen 2-Pak is also available for free through the EpiPen4Schools program, which provides schools with free EpiPen auto-injectors in case of an emergency.
In addition, Viatris Pharmaceuticals settled a major antitrust lawsuit in February 2022 related to the pricing of EpiPens, which involved allegations of price gouging and anti-competitive practices. As a result, the company agreed to pay $264 million to settle the lawsuit.
Overall, Viatris Pharmaceuticals plays an important role in providing access to life-saving medication like the EpiPen 2-Pak. The company offers various programs and initiatives to help patients and schools in need, while also being held accountable for meeting ethical and legal standards in the pharmaceutical industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about viatris pharmaceuticals epipen 2-pak
The EpiPen® auto injector contains 2 ml of adrenaline injection 1 mg/ml in a prefilled disposable automatic injection device which is designed to deliver a single dose (0.3 ml) of 0.3 mg adrenaline when activated. After activation of the auto injector, 1.7 ml remains in the auto injector.
The Epipen was manufactured by Meridian Medical Technologies of Columbia, Maryland, for Mylan Specialty L.P., Morgantown, West Virginia (a Pfizer company). The FDA approved the product in 1987. Meridian launched the 2-Pak in 2001.
Injectable Kit
| Quantity | Per unit | Price |
|---|
| 2 | $325.18 | $650.36 |
EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions.
EpiPen, also known by its generic name as epinephrine, is a prescription-only brand name medication made by Viatris.
Once injected, epinephrine works quickly to raise blood pressure and open airways. However, one dose may not be enough for everyone. Up to 20 percent of people experiencing anaphylaxis will have what's known as a biphasic reaction, in which they are wracked with another attack hours after the first.
Epinephrine auto-injectors come in packages of two for a reason. It's estimated 15-30 percent of anaphylaxis episodes will require more than one auto-injector to stop symptoms. This is why they should remain stored together at all times.
Meridian, a subsidiary of Pfizer that manufactures EpiPen® 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr® 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors, and the authorized generic versions of these strengths, continues to experience manufacturing constraints affecting supply.
EpiPen 2-Pak is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens. Epinephrine auto-injectors may be kept on hand for self-injection by a person with a history of severe allergic reaction.
If you or your child do not feel better or get worse, you can inject another dose of EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® 5 to 15 minutes after the first injection. Do not inject more than 2 injections right after each other. Too much epinephrine can cause dangerously high blood pressure, stroke, or death.
St. Louis, Missouri
EpiPens deliver a potentially lifesaving dose of the generic drug epinephrine via an automatic injector. They are made at a single Pfizer Inc facility near St. Louis, Missouri.
They took advantage of the fact that they basically had a monopoly and raised the prices accordingly." The public furor over the cost prompted Mylan to come out with a generic EpiPen costing $300. There are also now four other epinephrine manufacturers on the market: Kal'o, Impax Lab, Sandoz and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
