by Meghan Kimberling ‘17

Many people panic if they leave their house without their keys, wallet or phone. Others are inconvenienced if they forget their mascara, Advil, or a pack of gum. For me, my life is literally in danger if I leave my house without my EpiPen. Unfortunately, my life-saving EpiPen now costs me $600 more than it did last year.

I have a severe peanut and treenut allergy. This means that if I ingest or touch either of these foods, I will go into anaphylactic shock with symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and hives, as well as swollen face, lips, and throat. The EpiPen in my backpack saves my life because it is the most effective treatment for anaphylaxis, injecting .3 milligrams of life-saving epinephrine, or adrenaline, into my body when needed.

In April 2013, the price of an EpiPen averaged $249. As of June 2016, the price has skyrocketed to $615. Since I need to carry at least one Epipen in my backpack, one in my purse, and have one in my room, that is over $1800 in costs, not to mention that my mom, dad, and the school have one in the event of an emergency. I even carry two doses at all times as suggested by WebMD.

These costs add up quickly, and fortunately, my parents insurance covers all costs. For others, however, the drastic price increase means that many people who need the life-saving Epipens may no longer be able to afford it.

Tragically, 3 million Americans suffer from a deadly nut allergy. There are currently more than 30 million Americans living without insurance. Without insurance to cover the drastically increased costs of an EpiPen, one in every 13 children or almost two children in every classroom are at risk because they don’t have the financial means to purchase the life-saving medication.

I have a theory as to why these costs have soared. One is that Mylan, the manufacturer of the EpiPen, is money-hungry and out to make an even bigger profit on a product that consumers have no choice but to purchase or they put their lives at risk. The cost for all materials and labor in the manufacturing of a single EpiPen has been estimated at about $1, yet Mylan charges more than 600 times that amount.

I hope that I am wrong. I hope that those at the top are not only looking out for their own wallets, but without any other logical explanations being provided, I am left to believe that the controllers of this industry do not have the best interests of the consumers in mind.