Rep. Stein Announces Passage of "Epinephrine Accessibility Act"

COLUMBUS—State Representative Dick Stein (R-Norwalk) today announced passage of House Bill 101, the Epinephrine Accessibility Act, which seeks to make epinephrine auto-injectors more affordable and accessible for Ohioans who rely on the medication to treat life-threatening allergic reactions.

House Bill 101, sponsored by State Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township), allows pharmacists to substitute a pharmaceutically equivalent epinephrine auto-injector for another auto-injector. Currently, these auto-injectors are unable to be substituted with a generic prescription or other brand name auto-injector under state law in most instances.

“Health care is a significant expense for many of my constituents. This bill ensures greater access to this life-saving medicine by providing a generic or less expensive alternative to the EpiPen,” Stein said.

National media has recently shed light on the skyrocketing price of the life-saving device commonly known as EpiPen, which has increased nearly 500 percent in recent years, bringing the retail price to its current rate of more than $600.

For the many Ohioans at risk of anaphylactic shock, epinephrine delivered by an auto-injector is a medical necessity that oftentimes serves as a life-saving solution. Under this bill, consumers will have increased ability to secure the best epinephrine auto-injector at a competitive price, rather than being forced to purchase the most expensive product on the market. In some instances, House Bill 101 could help patients save as much as $500.

The Epinephrine Accessibility Act was passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.