Families In Need Of Lifesaving EpiPens Shocked At Price Increase

By Jeff Todd

DENVER (CBS4) - A vital lifesaving tool is now gouging some families. The price of an EpiPen has risen roughly 480 percent since 2009.

"It shocked me and the pharmacist was almost apologetic really," said Kristen Kidd. "This is my pharmacy bill for $273.66."

Kidd had to use an EpiPen on her teenage son in July after a late-night emergency. It helped him in his situation but Kidd was shocked when she returned to the pharmacy to buy another set of pens. Insurance covered $456 of the cost.

One pharmacy told CBS4 without insurance one pack of pens can cost $600. The generic version costs $400. There are coupons and payment options available but not everyone qualifies.

Even with insurance families say the yearly cost can near $1,000.

"It's absolutely a lifesaving measure for those that are identified as being at risk," said Dr. Rohit Katial with National Jewish Health. "Unfortunately for some folks it could be pricey and currently we don't have an easy way around it."

The pen delivers a dose of epinephrine.

"We prescribe these to our patients that are at risk for fatal allergic reactions. Foods are a great example if you're food allergic, venom stings like bee stings," said Katial.

Kidd says it's something that she can't let her teen leave home without.

"It's really non-negotiable. It's a life-or-death situation, it can happen any time, we may not be near a hospital," she said. "I cannot imagine why it's so expensive."

Some medical experts say the competing company had a recall and that left a monopoly for EpiPen.

The company that makes the pen told CBS News, the EpiPen's price "has changed over time to better reflect important product features and the value the product provides," saying, "We've made a significant investment to support the device over the past years."

Jeff Todd joined the CBS4 team in 2011 covering the Western Slope in the Mountain Newsroom. Since 2015 he's been working across the Front Range in the Denver Headquarters. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Jeff.