At least five states have introduced legislation this year to cap patients' out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens and other generic epinephrine autoinjectors.
The cost of EpiPens has long drawn public criticism. In 2016, Mylan introduced its own generic version of EpiPen after a public outcry over the branded version's price, which jumped more than 400 percent between 2007 and 2016. In 2018, the FDA approved the first generic competitor to EpiPen, made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. However, many Americans are still grappling with high out-of-pocket costs for the life-saving devices.
Five states taking aim at EpiPen costs:
Rhode Island lawmakers introduced a bill Jan. 19 that would require health plans to cover epinephrine autoinjectors and cartridges without a copay or deductible.
A Delaware bill introduced on Jan. 19 would require health insurance plans to keep at least one formulation of epinephrine auto-injectors at the lowest level of its formulary costs.
Colorado lawmakers are floating a bill that would allow uninsured residents to purchase the devices at $60 or less for a two-pack. The bill, introduced Jan. 9, would also cap the price at a $60 copay for the commercially insured.
Vermont lawmakers on Jan. 5 proposed a bill that would require health insurance plans to cover epinephrine auto-injectors "without any deductible, coinsurance, co-payment or other cost-sharing requirement."
A Missouri bill introduced Jan. 4 would cap copays at $100 for a thirty-day supply of epinephrine auto-injectors.