Health and Healthcare
How the FDA Is Fighting the Nationwide EpiPen Shortage
Published:
Last Updated:
Epinephrine autoinjectors, particularly Mylan N.V.’s (NYSE: MYL) EpiPens, have been in the limelight over the past couple of weeks, whether it’s the discussion about the shortage or that a new competitor has entered the generic EpiPen arena. However, U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA) is jumping into the fray again and extending the expiration dates for certain EpiPens in light of the national shortage.
According to a statement by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), the FDA is extending the expiration date for the 0.3 mg dose of EpiPen and its generic version (with current expiration dates between April and December 2018) by four months.
Note that the extension doesn’t apply to EpiPen Jr., which is used for kids weighing between 33 and 66 pounds and provides half the dose of epinephrine.
Normally, EpiPens have a shelf life of 20 months, according to the FDA. The additional four months are in response to the stability data from Mylan.
Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, commented:
We are doing everything we can to help mitigate shortages of these products, especially ahead of the back-to-school season. We’re hopeful this action will ensure patients have access to this important medication and provide additional peace-of-mind to parents as the agency works with the manufacturer to increase supply.
24/7 Wall St. had previously reported that Teva Pharmaceutical Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) is entering the generic EpiPen business, and this could potentially lead to a price war with Mylan.
Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.
It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.
We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today. Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.