HERTFORDSHIRE, England and
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan N.V.
(NASDAQ, TASE: MYL) today announced its
EpiPen4Schools® program has surpassed the one
millionth epinephrine auto-injector donation through the program
and that presented data at the American College of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology (ACAAI) 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting demonstrates
the impact of and continued need for the program in U.S. schools.
Epinephrine auto-injectors provided through the program have been
used more than 2,000 times to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially
life-threatening allergic reaction, in the school setting since
2014.
2017 marks the five-year
anniversary of Mylan's free EpiPen4Schools program, through which
Mylan donates epinephrine auto-injectors to public and private
kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S.*
The program helps to increase access to epinephrine – the only
first-line treatment for anaphylaxis – in the school setting.
Anaphylaxis can occur quickly and without warning. The rate of
reported severe allergic reactions to food alone has increased by
nearly five times over the past decade. And according to a recent
independent study, one in three patients prescribed epinephrine
failed to carry their medication during a reported anaphylactic
event, demonstrating the continued need for awareness and
education.
"We are appreciative of Mylan's EpiPen4Schools program so that
we have access to epinephrine auto-injectors in the event of
someone on school property experiencing an anaphylactic emergency,"
said Connie Trent, RN, BSN, Health
Services Facilitator, Forsyth
County Schools, Cumming,
Ga. "In fact, we have used the stock epinephrine
auto-injectors provided through the program four times during this
school year alone. Some of those being treated had never been
previously diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening
allergy."
More than 73,000 schools have participated in the program since
its launch in 2012 – or approximately 54% of the nation's
schools.
EpiPen4Schools® Survey Results
At a poster session at the ACAAI meeting today, Martha White, M.D., C.P.I., Research Director,
Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Maryland, presented new data from the most
recent survey of school participants. The comprehensive, nationwide
survey evaluated the occurrence of anaphylaxis and the use of
epinephrine auto-injectors in U.S. schools during the 2015-2016
school year.
More than 1,500 anaphylactic events were reported by more than
8,000 responding schools. An epinephrine auto-injector was used in
83% of the events, and nearly 60% of the time an epinephrine
auto-injector was used, it was an EpiPen® (epinephrine
injection, USP) Auto-Injector provided by Mylan's EpiPen4Schools
program. Most events (87%) occurred in students, and higher
anaphylactic event rates occurred among high school students
compared with younger grade levels. Food was the most common
trigger, followed by an unknown trigger. Nearly one-third (30%) of
individuals experiencing anaphylaxis had no previously known
allergies.
"The data from the most recent survey results, compared to
previous school years, show an improvement in using epinephrine
auto-injectors to treat anaphylaxis, in the number of times
emergency medical services were called and in the number of schools
with personnel trained to administer epinephrine," said Dr. White.
"This shows that awareness and education are making a difference
and highlights the importance of programs, like Mylan's
EpiPen4Schools program, that provide stock epinephrine
auto-injectors and educational materials to schools."
In 2015-2016, use of epinephrine auto-injectors increased 19%
over the 2014-2015 school year survey. The use of a stock
epinephrine auto-injector provided by the EpiPen4Schools program in
nearly 60% of cases was an increase of 10% over the 2014-2015
school year. Emergency medical services were called for 79% of
anaphylactic events, an increase of 18% compared to the prior year.
In 2013-2014, only 37% of schools had a school nurse or staff
member trained to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis and
administer epinephrine; respondents in the 2015-2016 survey
reported that nearly 90% of schools had a trained school nurse.
Since Mylan launched the program in August 2012, the top 10 participating states
include Nebraska, Connecticut, Nevada, North
Carolina, Michigan,
New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware and Utah.
Schools can enroll in the program by visiting
EpiPen4Schools.com.
*A school will only receive EpiPen® or EpiPen
Jr® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injectors in
accordance with all applicable laws. Requirements to qualify for
this offer include having a valid prescription. There is no
requirement for a school to purchase EpiPen or EpiPen Jr
Auto-Injectors.
Dr. Martha White is a paid
spokesperson of Mylan, and Connie
Trent has served as a spokesperson for the EpiPen4Schools
program.
Indications
EpiPen® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.3 mg and
EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection, USP) 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 administration as
emergency supportive therapy only. Seek immediate emergency medical
help right away.
Important Safety Information
Use EpiPen® or EpiPen
Jr® Auto-Injectors right away when you have an
allergic emergency (anaphylaxis). Get emergency medical
help right away. You may need further medical attention.
Only a healthcare professional should give additional doses of
epinephrine if you need more than two injections for a single
anaphylactic episode. EpiPen® or EpiPen
Jr® should only be injected into
the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if
necessary. Do not inject into your veins, buttocks, fingers, toes,
hands or feet. Hold the leg of young children firmly in place
before and during injection to prevent injuries. In case of
accidental injection, please seek immediate medical treatment.
Rarely, patients who have used EpiPen® or EpiPen
Jr® may develop an infection at the injection site
within a few days. Some of these infections can be serious. Call
your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the
following at an injection site: redness that does not go away,
swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.
Tell your healthcare professional about all of your medical
conditions, especially if you have asthma, a history of depression,
thyroid problems, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, high blood
pressure or heart problems, 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 healthcare professional
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 use EpiPen® or
EpiPen Jr®.
Common side effects include fast, irregular or "pounding"
heartbeat, sweating, nausea or vomiting, breathing problems,
paleness, dizziness, weakness, shakiness, headache, feelings of
over excitement, nervousness or anxiety. These side effects usually
go away quickly if you lie down and rest. Tell your
healthcare professional if you have any side effect that bothers
you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing
Information and Patient Information.
For additional information, please contact us at
800-395-3376.
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 Mylan
Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting
new standards in healthcare. 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 7,500 marketed products around the world,
including antiretroviral therapies on which approximately 50% of
people being treated for HIV/AIDS in the developing world depend.
We market our products in more than 165 countries and territories.
We are one of the world's largest producers of active
pharmaceutical ingredients. Every member of our more than
35,000-strong workforce is dedicated to creating better health for
a better world, one person at a time. Learn more at Mylan.com.
EpiPen®, EpiPen Jr® and
EpiPen4Schools® are registered trademarks
owned by Mylan Inc.
The Mylan Better Health for a Better World logo is a registered
trademark of Mylan Inc.
EPI-2017-0272
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SOURCE Mylan N.V.