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Consumer choice is, indeed, the underpinning of the free market. What is preventing other companies to come to market with cheaper versions of the EpiPen? Why
by metafunctor 10y ago
Consumer choice is, indeed, the underpinning of the free market.
What is preventing other companies to come to market with cheaper versions of the EpiPen? Why are there no cheaper alternatives?
- nickff 10y agoI believe there are three alternatives: Epipen, Adrenaclick, and Twinject. The FDA does not allow pharmacists to substitute one for the other at the pharmacy, and many (doctors and patients) opt for the best-known brand.
- metafunctor 10y agoA-ha! This is new information to me. Why are EpiPen substitutes not allowed? Are the products that different?
- DashRattlesnake 10y ago> Why are EpiPen substitutes not allowed? My understanding is if the prescription says "EpiPen" (or any non-generic drug brand name) the pharmacist must provide an EpiPen (or the brand-name drug). If the prescription says "epinephrine auto injector" or "EpiPen or generic," then the substitution is allowed. > Are the products that different? IIRC, they all the current alternatives deliver the same medicine, but they use different injector mechanisms to do so. I think the last alternative withdrew from the US market for some reason, because their mechanism wasn't as reliable with dosing. IIRC, EpiPen's mechanism is apparently off-patent, so a true generic could enter the market if approved.
- TeMPOraL 10y agoScott Alexander covered that topic nicely: http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/08/29/reverse-voxsplaining-drugs-vs-chairs/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/08/29/reverse-voxsplaining-dr...