ShalmaneserIII t1_ixzni54 wrote
Reply to comment by -paperbrain- in ELI5: If allergies, and especially anaphylaxis, are so common, why do we still need prescriptions for epi pens and such? by boomokasharoomo
The main issue is time- once someone is told they are allergic to something and should carry an epipen in case of anaphylaxis, why require a prescription for it?
If you forget to pack one for your kid on vacation, should you need to see a doctor to get one?
-paperbrain- t1_ixzuhw8 wrote
>If you forget to pack one for your kid on vacation, should you need to see a doctor to get one?
You don't need to. You can have your doctor's office send the prescription to a local pharmacy.
ShalmaneserIII t1_ixzulv7 wrote
Unless it's a weekend, holiday, etc.
Really, what harm are you trying to prevent by keeping the thing prescription?
deadpandiane t1_ixzvnv5 wrote
If you want to buy it over the counter you might be able to. I remember someone else that wanted to get one without a doctor for reasons. (I think they were on Vacation) It still had to be ordered and was expensive.
It is covered by prescription so people get them and get them replaced. Prescriptions get them to people and get replaced regularly. This system gets a life saving treatment to people that need it.
Clewin t1_iy0wcl0 wrote
The same thing happened for a while with asthma inhalers. HFA propellant requirements took the OTC Primatine Mist off the shelves and despite promises that cheap inhalers and OTC HFA inhalers would appear in a couple of years, big pharma reformulated the propellant every 10 years to keep it perpetually under patent. Primatine had to develop and patent their own HFA to return to the OTC market.
Incidentally, asthma inhalers are kind of a directed epi and do help with anaphylaxis in the lungs. For example, Fel-D-1 is a common protein in cat saliva that can trigger anaphylaxis in asthmatics. For me, I also get red eyes and congestion with sneezing along with gasping for breath. Dogs produce less allergens for me, but I definitely notice when they haven't been bathed in a while. Dogs may be more of a fur allergy than saliva, cats are definitely saliva.
86tuning t1_ixzt60o wrote
pretty sure it's high priority, and low chance of forgetting the epipen.
it's possible that there is medical coverage for prescription medications like epipen, whereas regular tylenol etc would normally not be covered.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments