- The FDA on Wednesdsay said that there's a shortage of EpiPens in the US.
- Mylan, the company that distributes the emergency allergy medication, said that there are "intermittent supply constraints," but supply is available.
- The issues stem from delays at Pfizer's Meridian Medical Technologies, which makes the device.
There's a shortage of EpiPens impacting the US.
The Food and Drug Adminmistraiton said on Wednesday that EpiPens, the emergency allergy medication, are currently in storage. The agency noted that there are "intermittent supply constraints" because of delays at Pfizer's Meridian Medical Technologies, which makes the device.
Mylan, the company that distributes the EpiPen, said that the product is available and that it's receiving a supply from Meridian. "Mylan is expediting shipment to wholesalers upon receipt, and supply levels may vary across wholesalers and pharmacies," the company said in a statement.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that hundreds of patients across the US were having issues getting the device.
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch downplayed the impact of the shortage and the inclusion on the FDA's list of drug shortages on a quarterly earnings call on Wednesday. "Ironically, they have to put that on their shortage list to say there's not a shortage," Bresch said.
Mylan came under fire in 2016 for raising the price of the EpiPen to $608.61 from $93.88 over the past decade. Mylan's CEO, Heather Bresch, later had to testify before Congress, class-action lawsuits have been filed against the company, and Mylan in 2017 was accused of overcharging the US government by $1.27 billion for EpiPens.
