Highmark notifying customers of EpiPen recall
Highmark is helping to get the word out about the recent EpiPen allergy shot recall, mailing notices to between 15,000 and 18,000 potentially affected customers who filled an EpiPen prescription within the last 12 months.
The recall covers select batches of the emergency auto-injector manufactured between December 2015 and July 2016. The majority of people who get letters will not be affected, said Ryan Cox, director of clinical pharmacy services for Pittsburgh insurer Highmark.
Local generic drug giant Mylan announced late Friday that its manufacturing partner, Meridian Medical Technologies, was expanding a recall that had been issued overseas to include EpiPens distributed in the U.S. The recall stems from two reports outside the U.S. of the device failing to work in an emergency.
Lot numbers for the affected EpiPens and information about the recall are available online at www.mylan.com/epipenrecall. Consumers also can contact their local pharmacy for lot numbers and information. Customers with recalled EpiPens are being asked to call 1-877-650-3494 for a voucher code to bring to their pharmacy for a free replacement.
Mylan, which is run from executive offices in Cecil, said it was working with the vendor managing the recall to reduce wait times amid reports that people were having trouble getting through to the hotline.
“We are aware that callers have experienced extended wait times and sincerely apologize,” the company said on its website Wednesday. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and explore all options to assist patients as expeditiously as possible.”
Besides vouchers, callers will receive a pre-paid return package to ship the recalled product back to the company. Customers are being urged to keep their recalled EpiPens on hand until they get a replacement.
Last summer, the skyrocketing cost of the EpiPen sparked outrage and accusations of pricegouging among legislators and the public. In attempt to quiet the outcry, Mylan in December launched an identical half-price generic version to compete with its own brand-name device.
Highmark’s Mr. Cox said Wednesday that initial claims data show a significant number of patients have switched to the lowercost generic version, while a smaller number have replaced their EpiPens with a competing product made by Impax Laboratories known as the generic Adrenaclick.