Ohio House passes EpiPen bill

By Marc Kovac | December 4, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

COLUMBUS

The Ohio House approved legislation this week that would provide quicker access to prescription drugs used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions.

House Bill 200 would enable child-care centers, colleges, amusements parks and other locations to purchase supplies of epinephrine auto-injectors – EpiPen for short – for use in emergency situations, treating anaphylaxis from bee stings, foods and other causes.

“I believe this is a great piece of legislation intended to save lives in the state of Ohio,” said Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Alliance, primary sponsor of the legislation. She added, “We should continue to expand access in public and private entities wherever these allergens may come in contact with Ohioans and put their lives in harm’s way.”

Comparable legislation moved last session allowing purchases of EpiPens for use in schools and youth camps. HB 200 passed the House on a vote of 94-0 and heads to the Senate for further consideration.

The bill would expand the list of locations able to purchase auto-injectors to include restaurants, sports arenas and other locations where people gather. Those locations would not be required to stock the drug but would have the option.

The bill would require specified individuals at those locations to complete training through the Ohio Department of Health, covering signs of severe allergic reactions and proper use of auto-injectors.

The legislation includes storage requirements for epinephrine supplies, and designated employees would be responsible for their maintenance and administration.

Hagan said severe allergic reactions prompt 90,000 emergency-room visits and 1,500 deaths annually in the United States. Allowing greater access to auto-injectors, particularly in places frequented by children, could help save Ohioans’ lives, she said.

“Immediately, your airway is closing, your tongue and your lips are swelling so much that you are not able to breathe, and your blood pressure is significantly dropping,” Hagan said. “So you only have really moments to respond. This is really, truly a public service to provide additional points of access to Ohioans that we might be able to ensure these lives are protected when they’re least expected to be in harm’s way.”