In the United States, we have three choices for epinephrine auto-injectors: Epipen, Auvi-Q and generic. When my son was first diagnosed, he was prescribed Epipen Jr. He carried his Epipens in a waistbelt. As he grew, he switched to the adult-size Epipens. This year, we asked the allergist for a prescription for Auvi-Q, and it is so much easier to carry them discreetly! Unlike Epipens, no carrying case is needed for Auvi-Q. It is designed to fit easily into a pocket or a purse. It contains the same amount of epinephrine as an Epipen, and comes in a 2-pak like Epipen. In addition, the Auvi-Q has recorded voice instructions that start when you remove the cover and walk you through administering the medicine, step-by-step. Both my son and I prefer the Auvi-Q's design over the old Epipen design--it is equally effective, has a more convenient design, and is more user friendly, providing step-by-step directions aloud when used.
Not all health insurance plans cover Auvi-Qs, and some have a higher co-pay for Auvi-Q than Epipen. In a discussion with a healthcare consultant, I learned that pharmaceutical companies can effectively cut out their competition by offering discounts to health plans that do not include their competition in the list of covered prescription drugs, or that only offer their competition for a higher co-pay amount. The only way we as consumers can change this is to keep requesting and demanding the available choices. After all, wouldn't an epinephrine auto-injector like Auvi-Q--that fits in your pocket and walks you through administration of the medicine--encourage more people to use their epinephrine auto-injector instead of waiting to get to the Emergency Room? It would save lives and maybe even save the insurance company money. It's a win for everyone.
Ask for Auvi-Q. Demand choices.
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