ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS TOWARD EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR PRICE INCREASE

Abstract

Introduction A few years ago, the price of an epinephrine auto-injection device increased dramatically. Now with multiple options of epinephrine auto-injectors, we set out to identify what drives patient purchasing trends. Methods Cross sectional study using an anonymous survey. The target population included parents of both male and female children who have purchased an epinephrine auto-injector within the last 10 years. The patient panel included multiple satellite CHKD allergy and immunology clinics. Results We found that while 73% of families we surveyed “completely agreed” to feeling financially burdened by the cost of an epinephrine auto-injector (and 97% overall agreed), 68% “completely agreed” (and 93% overall agreed) to the belief in having a new auto-injector every year. 86% of families “completely agreed” in the importance of having an epinephrine auto-injector at school or daycare and only 15% of families generally worried about the side effects or harm of giving the epinephrine auto-injector. 95% of families generally felt comfortable giving the auto-injector if necessary. The number one factor in deciding which epinephrine auto-injector to purchase was physician recommendation and prescription, followed by price/insurance coverage, then pharmacy suggestion, and finally, ease of use and brand name. Conclusions While a significant majority of our patients feel financially burdened by the cost of epinephrine auto-injectors, they also agree with the importance of purchasing it yearly. Physician recommendation and prescription is the number one deciding factor in their purchasing choice, almost three times more than cost. This study demonstrates the importance of physician awareness of the prices of medications. A few years ago, the price of an epinephrine auto-injection device increased dramatically. Now with multiple options of epinephrine auto-injectors, we set out to identify what drives patient purchasing trends. Cross sectional study using an anonymous survey. The target population included parents of both male and female children who have purchased an epinephrine auto-injector within the last 10 years. The patient panel included multiple satellite CHKD allergy and immunology clinics. We found that while 73% of families we surveyed “completely agreed” to feeling financially burdened by the cost of an epinephrine auto-injector (and 97% overall agreed), 68% “completely agreed” (and 93% overall agreed) to the belief in having a new auto-injector every year. 86% of families “completely agreed” in the importance of having an epinephrine auto-injector at school or daycare and only 15% of families generally worried about the side effects or harm of giving the epinephrine auto-injector. 95% of families generally felt comfortable giving the auto-injector if necessary. The number one factor in deciding which epinephrine auto-injector to purchase was physician recommendation and prescription, followed by price/insurance coverage, then pharmacy suggestion, and finally, ease of use and brand name. While a significant majority of our patients feel financially burdened by the cost of epinephrine auto-injectors, they also agree with the importance of purchasing it yearly. Physician recommendation and prescription is the number one deciding factor in their purchasing choice, almost three times more than cost. This study demonstrates the importance of physician awareness of the prices of medications.