EpiPens have always been a lifesaver to many people who have allergies. According to WebMD, EpiPens are a form of medication that are used in emergencies to treat very serious allergic reactions to insect stings/bites, foods, drugs or other substances. The chemical known as Epinephrine is used to temporarily  reverse life threatening symptoms such as swelling, hives, sudden decrease of blood pressure.

Generally, EpiPens are used outside of the hospital in locations such as schools, homes and airplanes in the case of a person’s sudden allergic reaction. Recently, prices of EpiPens have risen tremendously, making it difficult for middle-class consumers to purchase them. This sudden increase in price is completely unjustified because the change in price did not steadily increase in the last few years

According to the New York Times, Mylan, the pharmaceutical company that produces Epipens, made a steep increase in their prices for EpiPens. In 2007, a set of two EpiPens was available for pharmacies to purchase under $100. However, in 2009 pharmacies started paying $104 for a set and in July 2013 the price was $264.50. In May 2016, the price had increased to $608.61.

Mylan has increased the price of EpiPens to take take advantage of its customers. Raising the price of EpiPens has made it difficult for many individuals who have allergies to purchase a set. EpiPens are stored in school if a student has an allergy which may lead to life-threatening symptoms. Since the recent increase in price of EpiPens, schools must be pay even more to purchase EpiPens.

EpiPens are kept in convenient  places to be used easily accessible. These places include the first aid kits of classrooms, cars and bedrooms. Allergic patients should have two EpiPens at all times in case one EpiPen does not fully reverse the symptoms.

According to Raps, the CEO of Mylan, Heather Bresch, defended the price of EpiPens on Dec. 1 by saying that the company has made the EpiPen more “ergonomic” and that patients “never see a needle.” She justified that the components of the EpiPens are vital and that the company is constantly making improvements. Bresch explained that the company had to increase the price of EpiPens to make “a reasonable profit.” When Brech was asked about if she saw the consequences of the price hike, she said that customers are not understanding how the system of pricing works and that there is a lot of wrong information in the media.

Mylan is attempting to improve a product that does not need any more improvements. EpiPens are attempting to make continuous improvements just to make more profit from consumers. Competition between companies that sell auto injectors to relieve allergic competition has increased, and that may be the reason Mylan is attempting to make improvements to be the top its category.

According to the United Press International, Mylan executives refused to testify to a Senate judiciary committee about the spike of EpiPen prices. Lawyers from Mylan mentioned in a letter that they will not answer questions about the $435-million settlement to the Justice Department officials. On Oct. 7, Mylana agreed to pay the settlement of $435 million for overcharging its EpiPens.

According to  Advisory Board, Mylan is releasing a generic version of the drug for half-price of the EpiPen. This generic version of the EpiPen will be released early December and will cost about $300, which comes with a set of two generic EpiPens. Mylan announced the plans of producing a generic version of the EpiPens on August. The generic version will have be the same as the overpriced EpiPen and will be sold in dosages of  0.15mg or 0.30mg  

Mylan should have not increased the prices of EpiPens in an attempt to increase its profits. Not increasing the prices could have prevented the settlement they had to pay and prevent them from wasting efforts to make another form of EpiPen. Children are now at a risk of dying since not all parents have the luxury to pay the expensive prices Mylan has set. Mylan is charging parents more money and return is providing them an overpriced product to save their child’s life.