Epi-Pen costs

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Hi all,

A few months ago I started a new job running the health center at an outdoor education site. The site director wants me to find ways to cut down on costs for Epi-Pens, but we don't qualify for school assistance programs or insurance benefits (since we as the camp do not have health insurance). Do any of you have any experience with this? What did you do?

Thanks!

Amanda

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Well I'm not a huge fan of it, but I have heard of places buying a vial of epinepherine and useing a syringe to give it. The potential for a med error is of course a major concern. Also obviously there is the issue of lay persons not being able to administer the medication in an emgency, which is really important in my opinion. Your medical director would be the place to start and see if they would even sign off on administering epinepherine with a syringe in place of an auto injector.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Check Canadian med sites. The US health system pays for all the research, normally pennies on the dollar type difference. Good luck.Really irritates me that they can expect $250 per injector.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

There is a local pharmacy that provides Epi-ens to our school district at cost. Perhaps you could check with local pharmacies, hospitals, EMS systems to see if they would be able and willing to partner with you on this.

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Hi big Al!

I appreciate the thought, but unfortunately, everyone on our medical staff is EMT-B or below, so nobody is even certified to administer epinephrine that way. Thank you for the reply, though! I'll be talking to my director about what the best way to sort out this issue is.

MrNurse,

That's a really great idea. I'll definitely check it out, and let you know how it goes. Thank you!

Jolie,

Thanks for the response. I'll definitely give that a shot as well!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Ask the manufacturer for a coupon. Costco is close to cost as are many WalMarts

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JustBeachyNurse, I will give that a shot! Thank you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
JustBeachyNurse, I will give that a shot! Thank you.

Epi pen shot! You made a funny! ;)

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Why don't the kids bring their own Epi-pens?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Why don't the kids bring their own Epi-pens?

I think she's referring to stock emergency epipens

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I think she's referring to stock emergency epipens

Yes! We buy 8-10 of them for the summer, even though the kids bring their own.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

We use the camper's epi-pens (7 week sleep-over camp) I have a master list, label the epi's with the camper's name and where it is located. If we need to use the camper's epi then we buy it. Off camp trips I take at least 3 with us. We have done this x 5 summers with no problems.

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