25 ms·

So, why not just import these pens from UK or Canadian producers who make them at scale and for much cheaper? Or better yet, create a joint venture to manufactu

So, why not just import these pens from UK or Canadian producers who make them at scale and for much cheaper? Or better yet, create a joint venture to manufacture them cheaply in places like India?

warent 8y ago
Unless I'm misunderstanding, it has nothing to do with production cost in the US, and everything to do with the arbitrarily high market value of the drug.
- russdill 8y ago
  It's not the drug, it's the FDA approved one use delivery system. Epinephrine is dirt cheap.
Symmetry 8y ago
That would be quite illegal, those UK and Canadian epiphendrine injectors haven't been subject to FDA regulation. It would be a really good idea, granted, but there are plenty of less radical ways to solve the problem. It doesn't seem to have a positive effect on health outcomes (due to effects on availability) but US drug regulations are pretty much the tightest in the world and allowing foreign imports would be a relaxation of that.
- amyjess 8y ago
  Unless the drug in question is a controlled substance, it's only illegal to sell Rx-only medications, not to buy them. On the extremely rare chance customs confiscates your shipment (which in practice only happens one week a year, during Operation Pangea), all that will happen to you is that your package will be empty. I'm not linking them here (just because I don't want to get YC/HN in trouble), but there are a number of highly-reputable online pharmacies in India and Vanuatu that sell non-controlled medications and ship to the US. I haven't checked whether or not they sell EpiPens, but I wouldn't be surprised. I'm aware of them because they are very popular in the transgender community due to high barriers to accessing medical care by legitimate means.
- Paul-ish 8y ago
  Maybe countries should encourage prescription drug tourism. I can get a flight to London for $400. If I save $300 on an EpiPen, suddenly its a real deal. (Maybe you just need to go to Canada though)

So, why not just import these pens from UK or Canadian producers who make them at scale and for much cheaper? Or better yet, create a joint venture to manufacture them cheaply in places like India?

warent 8y ago

Unless I'm misunderstanding, it has nothing to do with production cost in the US, and everything to do with the arbitrarily high market value of the drug.

russdill 8y ago
It's not the drug, it's the FDA approved one use delivery system. Epinephrine is dirt cheap.

Symmetry 8y ago

That would be quite illegal, those UK and Canadian epiphendrine injectors haven't been subject to FDA regulation. It would be a really good idea, granted, but there are plenty of less radical ways to solve the problem. It doesn't seem to have a positive effect on health outcomes (due to effects on availability) but US drug regulations are pretty much the tightest in the world and allowing foreign imports would be a relaxation of that.

amyjess 8y ago
Unless the drug in question is a controlled substance, it's only illegal to sell Rx-only medications, not to buy them. On the extremely rare chance customs confiscates your shipment (which in practice only happens one week a year, during Operation Pangea), all that will happen to you is that your package will be empty. I'm not linking them here (just because I don't want to get YC/HN in trouble), but there are a number of highly-reputable online pharmacies in India and Vanuatu that sell non-controlled medications and ship to the US. I haven't checked whether or not they sell EpiPens, but I wouldn't be surprised. I'm aware of them because they are very popular in the transgender community due to high barriers to accessing medical care by legitimate means.
Paul-ish 8y ago
Maybe countries should encourage prescription drug tourism. I can get a flight to London for $400. If I save $300 on an EpiPen, suddenly its a real deal. (Maybe you just need to go to Canada though)