Mylan distributes EpiPens to thousands of schools

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — A division of drug maker Mylan has distributed autoinjectors of an emergency drug used for severe allergic reactions to schools nationwide.

Mylan Specialty said Wednesday that since its August 2012 launch of the EpiPen4Schools program, thousands of schools around the country had elected to participate and receive free EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) auto-injectors. The program was launched to help schools have improved access to epinephrine in the event that a person experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis.

"When anaphylaxis occurs, every minute matters — even one incident without access to epinephrine is too many," Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said. "Through EpiPen4Schools, we are helping make epinephrine available for those with known life-threatening allergies, as well as for those who experience anaphylaxis while at school."

The program offers four free EpiPen or EpiPen Jr injectors, upon qualification, including a valid prescription, to public and private kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools in the United States. For example, all the schools in Chicago's public school system have had auto-injectors since fall 2012.

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