New EpiPen Recall

Recently, the drug company Mylan issued a voluntary recall in seven countries for the EpiPen.  The initial recall of the emergency allergy product didn’t include the US, but Mylan has issued a new recall which not only includes EpiPens sold in the US, but also involves the children’s version, known as EpiPen Jr. Mylan said a defective part may keep the injector from working properly.

The recall applies to 13 lots of both EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. auto-injectors distributed between December 17, 2015 and July 1, 2016. Patients can receive another EpiPen or an authorized version at their pharmacy, Mylan said.  In the meantime, they should continue to carry and use their current EpiPen until they acquire a replacement.  Consumers who have EpiPens from lots that are not included in this recall, do not need to replace their EpiPen prior to its expiration date.  Patients are being directed to Mylan.com/EpiPen Recall for replacement instructions.

Mylan’s business practices came under intense scrutiny last year after consumers started to notice that the price of the EpiPen was rising at a rapid rate.  After Mylan bought the product in 2007, the drug company raised prices almost 600 percent over the course of the next decade. Mylan defended the actions by insisting that quality control was one of many reasons for the price hikes.  The company had to repay $465 million to the US government for scamming Medicare and Medicaid.

While the number of reported failures is small, EpiPen products that potentially contain a defective part are being recalled because of the potential for life-threatening risk if a severe allergic reaction goes untreated.  Consumers should contact Mylan at 800-796-9526 or customer.service@mylan.com with any questions.  As stated on the product label, consumers should always seek emergency medical help right away after using their EpiPens, particularly if the device did not activate.