Despite shortage, don't donate extra EpiPens, doctors say

Doctors say people with extra EpiPens should not donate them, despite a national shortage of the lifesaving drug.

Some Long Islanders have come forward offering to give their EpiPens to families in need of them, but medical experts strongly advise against it.

There has been a shortage of the device in the past few months, caused by manufacturing, supply and delivery issues. Sales of the pens typically spike this time of year, experts say, as parents stock up on injectors for school or refill expired prescriptions.  

Dr. Mark Jarrett, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Northwell Health, said it is illegal to redistribute these drugs. A prescription allows only the person named on a script to possess and consume the medication.

EpiPens are injected into the thigh to stop severe allergic reactions, triggered by food or bee stings, for example.  

Jarrett said while the willingness to donate these medications is a kind gesture, it can actually put the recipient at risk since the drugs have strict storage guidelines. 

EpiPen and Auvi-Q injectors should not be kept in extremely hot or cold temperatures and expire 18 months from the day they are manufactured. There is also concern of medication tampering. 

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first generic version of an EpiPen produced by another company, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, providing new competition that could help drive down the cost of the drug and increase supplies. The price of a two-pen EpiPen pack can be upward of $400.   

It is unclear when the generic version will become available.

On Tuesday, the FDA extended the expiration date of specific lots of EpiPens marketed by Mylan by four months beyond the labeled expiration date. 

The extensions apply to the 0.3 mg dose of EpiPen and its authorized generic, with expiration dates between April and December 2018, according to a statement from Pfizer, which manufactures the EpiPen for Mylan. The extension does not apply to EpiPen Jr., which is used for children weighing between 33 and 66 pounds. 

This change beyond the approved 20-month shelf life is based on stability data provided by Mylan and reviewed by the FDA, Pfizer said.