LISTEN ABOVE AS ALLERGY NZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARK DIXON SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING
The New Zealand allergy community is "buzzing" at the prospects of cheaper life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors after the approval of a generic version in the United States.
The devices contain adrenalin, which is injected through a spring-loaded needle into the muscle of the leg, and are used to treat potentially life‑threatening allergic reactions.
There had been outrage at rising costs of the EpiPen brand in the United States, after Mylan Pharmaceuticals bought the rights to the anaphylaxis treatment in 2007, boosting the price from US$93 ($139.29) for two injectors to more than US$600.
In August, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injector, produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.
The FDA said it would give patients a lower-cost option and help protect against potential drug shortages.
While there had been no application yet to Medsafe in New Zealand to register it here, Allergy New Zealand chief executive Mark Dixon said the potential was "exciting".
Mylan EpiPens were not subsidised by Pharmac, and could cost between $120-$250 each, Dixon said. They could be used only once, and expired after a year.
About 10,000-15,000 EpiPens are sold in New Zealand each year, Dixon said.
"As you can imagine a lot of families currently simply can't afford them. Allergy families carry the full burden as there is no government support."
Pharmac currently funded adrenaline in an ampoule that could be used with a needle and syringe by people experiencing anaphylaxis. The ampoules cost about $1 each.
However, this was often challenging for some sufferers and their supporters to administer.
"They also have to know how to assemble and inject it, which can be difficult, especially in an emergency."
Dixon said adrenaline auto-injectors had been on Pharmac's waiting list for more than 13 years, with budget concerns being the major factor.
If the pens were subsidised the number of people using them could increase dramatically.
Dixon said manufacturing generic adrenaline auto-injectors could make them substantially more affordable for those in need.
"A new generic supplier in the world market changes everything. The community is buzzing.
"Our members win if the price goes down or there is a partial subsidy. It does not matter what brand is on the packaging, supply and price is the problem."
Pharmac director of operations Lisa Williams said although it was in close contact with potential suppliers, it had not received an application for funding from the new generic supplier.
"We continue to be in close contact with all potential suppliers of adrenaline auto-injectors with the aim of negotiating an affordable long-term funding agreement.
"Currently, EpiPen is the only brand of adrenaline auto-injector registered by Medsafe.
"Pharmac has communicated our interest in the product to other potential suppliers, with a view to them submitting an application to Medsafe for registration in New Zealand and a funding application to Pharmac."
Case Study: "It's a daily anxiety."
Eliza Pryor's allergy to peanuts makes birthday parties an ordeal. Photo / Dean Purcell
Eliza Pryor just wants to be a normal 10-year-old, but her anaphylactic allergy to peanuts makes everything more difficult.
"She is 10 years old and has never had a sleepover at a friend's house," said her mother, Carlene.
"Even birthday parties are an ordeal. Each time we have to explain to the parents her allergies and what to do and how to be careful."
Eliza's one major reaction was when she was 1 year old, after she shared a drink bottle with somebody who had just eaten a peanut-butter sandwich.
At the time her family were not aware of the extent of the allergy, and had not been advised to carry an EpiPen.
Pryor gave her daughter antihistamines, which kept the swelling at bay enough to get her to hospital.
"Through vigilance she has not had contact...
