CVS Sells Generic EpiPen Alternative That Costs 83 Percent Less

CVS is slashing the price of the generic version of Impax Laboratories’ Adrenaclick treatment — an alternative to Mylan’s well-known EpiPen.

The EpiPen — a medical device that can stop a potentially deadly allergic reaction to a bee sting or food allergy — has soared in price by more than 400 percent since 2008. The $600 to $650 price tag for a two-pack of EpiPens is steep enough that many allergy sufferers simply cannot afford it.

Even Mylan’s generic version of the EpiPen, which sells for $300 to $340 per two-pack, is prohibitively expensive for many people.

CVS says the authorized generic for Adrenaclick costs $109.99 for a two-pack. That’s a savings of 83 percent when compared with the top price charged for the EpiPen two-pack.

People who qualify might be able to score an additional discount on Adrenaclick. This coupon from Impax Laboratories offers a $100 discount per pack — up to three packs max — for qualified patients. As Impax notes:

Commercially insured patients may receive their epinephrine auto-injector at $0 cost.

Helena Foulkes, president of CVS, says in a statement that the drugstore chain is proud to offer patients the “lowest cash price in the market” for the generic epinephrine auto-injectors.

“…we recognized that there was an urgent need in the marketplace for a less expensive epinephrine auto-injector for patients with life-threatening allergies. … In order to address this challenge we have partnered with Impax to purchase their epinephrine auto-injector at a price that is lower than similar brand or authorized generic epinephrine auto-injectors.”

Health insurance giant Cigna recently announced it’s dropping coverage for the high-priced EpiPens, NBC News reports.

Check out “$30 ‘EpiPencil’ Is DIY Alternative to EpiPen.”

Are you an allergy sufferer who needs an EpiPen or something similar? What do you think about the generic offered at CVS? Share your thoughts below or on Facebook.