The governor of Illinois is making sure that children have access to life-saving medication.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law this week, a first for the country, requiring insurance companies to pay for EpiPens for children 18 and under who need them, CNN reported.
The law takes affect Jan. 1.
EpiPens contain epinephrine or adrenaline. Epinephrine opens airways and reduce swelling in an anaphylactic attack, CNN reported.
The cost of two EpiPens was $100 in 2009. In 2016, the cost was $600.
The company that produced EpiPens, Mylan, blamed health insurance for the high price.
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved a generic form of EpiPens, according to CNN.
Manufacturing problems have also contributed to patients who need the life-saving medication, but cannot get it, according to Consumer Reports.
But there are new treatments coming to market.
Novartis has released Symjepi, which is a new type of injector. Walgreens also offers a third type called Auvi-Q that is no cost to those who have insurance. If a patient is in need of Auvi-Q, but isn't near a Walgreens, the company that makes it, Kaelo, will ship it to them at no cost, according to Consumer Reports.
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