Generic version of Epipen on the way
So what do the names Mark Sinclair, Caryn Johnson and Eric Bishop have in common? They sounded too generic for their brands, which are better known as Vin Diesel, Whoopi Goldberg and Jamie Foxx.
But sometimes the generic version is a better choice. Take the original Epipen from Mylan, which delivers lifesaving epinephrine to people suffering severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to things like bee stings, peanuts and shellfish. The brand raised its price by
400 percent between 2010 and 2016. That led to a $465 million federal overcharge settlement against Mylan, and encouraged it to market an authorized generic version, which still costs a lot — between $300 and $500 for a two-pack. Even with that, there’s been a shortage lately, and the Food and Drug Administration has had to extend the expiration date on specific lots of the Epipen and the authorized generic by four months.
The FDA hopes the extension will coincide with the release of a newly approved, truly generic version of the Epipen and Epipen Jr. It took a while for this generic to be developed. Once the device was proven to work, the FDA gave Teva Pharmaceuticals permission to market its version.
You can teach old dogs new tricks
A new study out of Finland found that doing resistance training builds confidence along with muscle, and that makes exercise more enjoyable, so you end up sticking with it for the long run. Although these researchers were looking at folks over age 65, the lesson applies to all ages.
If you’re sedentary, it’s hard to reconnect with your body. That’s why around 80 percent of the 66 million Americans with gym memberships never or rarely go. If that’s you, you’re missing out on a key way to make exercise a regular and fun part of your life. Your body likes to go out and have a good time!
Start by doing strength building at home with hand weights or stretchy bands. And when you’re doing stretching/strength-building exercises, you’ll discover how much your body loves you back when you show it some love — and love is precisely what strength building is to your organs, muscles, bones and brain.
So if you’re having trouble getting into “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” try building up your resolve (and muscles) with two to three 20-minute strength-building sessions weekly. Once you feel the love (along with the burn), you won’t want to give it up!
Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.