PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Specialty,
the fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical business of Mylan
Inc. (NASDAQ: MYL), today announced new
EpiPen4Schools® program offerings
as part of the company's commitment to support the growing need for
education among school staff about anaphylaxis, a life-threatening
allergic reaction. The EpiPen4Schools program, launched in
2012, provides four free EpiPen® (epinephrine) or EpiPen
Jr® (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors to qualifying*
schools.
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Results from a recent survey conducted by Mylan Specialty among
more than 6,000 program participants during the 2013-2014 school
year found that of 919 reported cases of anaphylaxis in the
schools, more than one in five occurred in individuals without an
established or known allergic trigger. In addition, of the reported
incidents of anaphylaxis that were treated with epinephrine, the
first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, nearly half (48.7%) used an
EpiPen Auto-Injector received through the
EpiPen4Schools program.
"This is the first nationwide, comprehensive survey evaluating
anaphylaxis and use of epinephrine auto-injectors in U.S. schools,"
Dr. Martha White, a survey
investigator, stated. "As the program continues, research like this
will be important in understanding how schools are responding when
anaphylaxis occurs and what resources may be needed to support
efforts to manage potentially life-threatening allergies within the
school setting."
New EpiPen4Schools program resources, including a
training video for school staff and administrators that features an
anaphylaxis overview and step-by-step demonstration of how to
administer EpiPen Auto-Injector, are available at
EpiPen4Schools.com.
"Nearly three years ago, a series of in-school tragedies
highlighted the need for immediate access to epinephrine. We
recognized that Mylan Specialty was in a unique position to address
the evolving needs of the school community, and we introduced the
EpiPen4Schools program to improve epinephrine access in this
important setting," Mylan CEO Heather
Bresch said. "To date, more than 42,000 schools have
participated in the program and 45 states have enacted laws or
policies allowing or requiring schools to stock epinephrine
auto-injectors. We commend the collective efforts of the community
that have made this impressive progress possible in such a
relatively short amount of time, but we must continue to strive to
ensure access for schools in every state and preparedness in
schools nationwide."
The free EpiPen4Schools program resources now
include:
- Four EpiPen or EpiPen Jr
Auto-Injectors: Schools can apply online to receive
two EpiPen 2-Pak® cartons, two EpiPen Jr
2-Pak® cartons or one 2-Pak of each kind. Qualifications
for this offer include having a valid prescription.
- Anaphylaxis: Know It. See It. Treat It.
Training Video: Available on DVD or for download at
EpiPen4Schools.com, the video features an anaphylaxis overview from
Dr. Ruchi Gupta, Associate Professor
of Pediatrics at Northwestern
University and Lurie Children's Hospital; and a step-by-step
demonstration of how to administer EpiPen
Auto-Injector.
- EpiPen® Trainer Units: Designed to practice
administration, EpiPen Trainer units contain no drug product
or needle.
- EpiLocker™: A brightly colored unit, to store the free
EpiPen and/or EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors received
through the program, so they are easily identifiable in the event
of an emergency.
- Replenishment Offer: Qualifying schools that use the
free supply of EpiPen or EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors to
respond to anaphylaxis may order a replenishment supply at no
additional cost.
- Online Order Process: Schools may now submit and track
their orders online.
"As a pediatrician and mother of a child with life-threatening
allergies, I know all too well that life happens and the school
community needs to be prepared should anaphylaxis occur," Dr. Gupta
said. "With kids spending so much time in school, there is
increased emphasis placed on programs to educate staff about
anaphylaxis risk and management, making resources like the
Anaphylaxis: Know It. See It. Treat It. training video so
important. We hope that schools will continue to enroll in the
EpiPen4Schools program and that resources like the training
video are helpful in their anaphylaxis preparedness
efforts."
Anaphylaxis can happen quickly and without warning, and children
are among the most at risk – approximately one in 13 U.S. children
has a potentially life-threatening (severe) food allergy.
For more information, visit EpiPen4Schools.com.
Dr. Martha White is a paid
medical consultant of Mylan Specialty.
Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a paid
spokesperson of Mylan Specialty.
*A school will only receive EpiPen Auto-Injectors in
accordance with all applicable laws. The school must submit a valid
prescription in order to qualify for this program. There is no
requirement for a school to purchase additional EpiPen or
EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors or any other Mylan Specialty
products.
About Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening
allergic reaction that has many possible triggers, occurs quickly,
without warning, and must be treated immediately with epinephrine.
Symptoms may include hives or redness of the skin, tightness in the
throat, nausea, dizziness, breathing problems, a decrease in blood
pressure and/or fainting. Anaphylaxis can be caused by triggers,
such as food, stinging and biting insects, medicines, latex or even
exercise. While symptoms of an allergic reaction vary from person
to person, reactions can quickly progress to become
life-threatening.
An epinephrine auto-injector, such as EpiPen
Auto-Injector, should be given at the first sign of
anaphylaxis, followed by seeking immediate emergency medical care.
Antihistamines do not prevent or relieve the life-threatening
symptoms of anaphylaxis. Delays in epinephrine administration have
been associated with negative health consequences, even possibly
death.
Indications
EpiPen® (epinephrine) 0.3 mg
and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors are
for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions
(anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers;
and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions.
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are intended for immediate self-administration
as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency
medical treatment after use.
Important Safety Information
EpiPen Auto-Injectors
contain a single dose of epinephrine, which you inject into your
outer thigh. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR VEIN, BUTTOCK, FINGERS, TOES,
HANDS OR FEET. In case of accidental injection, please seek
immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with
caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines
that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have certain medical conditions such as
asthma, depression, thyroid disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes,
high blood pressure and heart disease, have any other medical
conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are
breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Be sure to also tell your
doctor all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma.
If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain
medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have longer
lasting side effects when you take the EpiPen or EpiPen Jr
Auto-Injector.
The most common side effects may include increase in heart rate,
stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting,
difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness,
headache, apprehension, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects
usually go away quickly, especially if you rest.
Talk to your healthcare professional to see if EpiPen or EpiPen
Jr Auto-Injector is right for you.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient
Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of
prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
About the EpiPen4Schools® Program
The EpiPen4Schools program launched in August 2012 to help improve access to epinephrine
in the event a person experiences anaphylaxis in the school
setting. The program offers four free EpiPen or EpiPen Jr
Auto-Injectors to public and private kindergarten, elementary,
middle and high schools in the U.S. Qualifying schools that use
their initial free order to respond to an anaphylactic event at
school may order a replenishment supply of EpiPen or
EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors at no additional cost. Requirements
to qualify for this offer include having a valid prescription. The
product is available in the form of two EpiPen 2-Pak
cartons, two EpiPen Jr 2-Pak cartons or one 2-Pak of each
kind. EpiPen Auto-Injectors contain a single dose of
epinephrine, which you inject into your outer thigh. EpiPen
and EpiPen Jr are intended for immediate self-administration
as emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency
medical treatment after use. For complete program details, visit
EpiPen4Schools.com.
As part of the EpiPen4Schools program, Mylan Specialty
offers a discount program through which schools can purchase, upon
qualification, EpiPen 2-Pak cartons and EpiPen Jr
2-Pak cartons at a discounted price. There is no requirement
for a school to purchase additional EpiPen Auto-Injectors or
any other Mylan Specialty products.
About EpiPen Auto-Injector
EpiPen
and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors are used for the emergency
treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions. Each EpiPen
2-Pak and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak contains two single
auto-injectors, instructions for use and a training device, with no
drug product or needle, to help patients become familiar with the
administration technique. EpiPen Auto-Injector should be
administered immediately at the first sign of an anaphylactic
reaction. EpiPen Auto-Injector is not a substitute for
emergency medical treatment. Patients should seek emergency
medical attention immediately following administration. EpiPen
Auto-Injector has been the No. 1 prescribed epinephrine
auto-injector for more than 25 years and has three-step simple
instructions for use. For more information about EpiPen
Auto-Injector, please visit www.EpiPen.com.
About Mylan Specialty
Mylan Specialty, a subsidiary of
Mylan Inc. (NASDAQ: MYL), is a specialty pharmaceutical company
focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of
prescription drug products for the treatment of respiratory
diseases, life-threatening allergic reactions and psychiatric
disorders. For more information, please visit
mylanspecialty.com.
About Mylan
Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company
committed to setting new standards in health care. Working together
around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality
medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and
service excellence a habit; do what's right, not what's easy; and
impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a
growing portfolio of more than 1,300 generic pharmaceuticals and
several brand medications. In addition, we offer a wide range of
antiretroviral therapies, upon which approximately 40% of HIV/AIDS
patients in developing countries depend. We also operate one of the
largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers and
currently market products in approximately 140 countries and
territories. Our workforce of more than 20,000 people is dedicated
to improving the customer experience and increasing pharmaceutical
access to consumers around the world. Learn more at mylan.com
EpiPen®, EpiPen Jr®, EpiPen
2-Pak® and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak® are registered
trademarks of Mylan Inc. licensed exclusively to its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Mylan Specialty L.P.
EpiPen4Schools® is a registered trademark of
Mylan Inc.
EpiLocker™ is a trademark of Mylan Inc.
© 2014 Mylan Specialty L.P. All rights reserved.
EPI-2014-0902
To visit the multimedia assets associated with this release
please click:
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epipen4schools-program-enhances-support-of-national-movement-to-improve-anaphylaxis-preparedness-and-access-to-emergency-treatment-in-schools-200731843.html
SOURCE Mylan Specialty L.P.