CVS begins sale of generic EpiPen at a cheaper price

Tribune News Service

PITTSBURGH

Taking a stab at breaking the market dominance of Mylan’s EpiPen allergy shot, CVS Pharmacy on Thursday announced it has begun selling a similar auto-injector at a fraction of the cost.

The nation’s biggest drug store chain said the generic version of Adrenaclick – a tiny EpiPen competitor – costs $109.99 per two-pack. That compares tomore than $600-a-pack for the EpiPen and $300 for the generic EpiPen that local drug giant Mylan launched last month.

“We recognized the urgent need for a less-expensive epinephrine auto-injector and are proud to offer a low-cost option,” CVS said in a statement. The Rhode Island-based company has some 9,600 stores nationwide.

The generic Adrenaclick, sold by Impax Laboratories in California, contains the same active ingredient to counteract life-threatening allergic reactions as the EpiPen, but uses a slightly different delivery system. The brand-name version of Adrenaclick is no longer manufactured.

A year ago, the device held a tiny 4 percent market share, according to Impax. Its share rose to around 7 percent last fall in the wake of growing outrage over the spiraling cost of the EpiPen, the company has said.

By teaming up with CVS, Impax appears poised to become a much more significant player.

Mylan, which is run from executive offices outside Pittsburgh, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

CVS said patients should speak with their health care provider about possibly switching to the generic Adrenaclick.