Guatemala Epi Pen Guate Q50 | Mylan Epi-Pen $584 USD. If you are Allergic doctors in the US advise you to carry two EPI pens. Western Medicine at its finest. Parents are advised to purchase multiple Epi-Pens. The method of using an EpiPen is quick,  a stab to the thigh and the EpiPen dispenses epinephrine, a drug that reverses swelling, closing of the airways, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction to bee stings, peanuts, or other allergens.

In 2007 Maylan one of those huge western medicine pharmaceutical companies acquired the decades-old product.  This is when the story and prices began to change.

In 2009, a pharmacy paid $103.50 for a set. By July 2013 the price was up to $264.50, and it rose 75 percent to $461 by last May. This May the price spiked again to $608.61.  In case you are not clear, that is the price per Epi pen.

Most US school systems require if your child has an allergy that your child provides two Epi Pens to the school. Which can now cost the parents as much as $1,200 per year.  And given that the Epi-Pens produced by Maylan has an expiration after one year, parents are forced to purchase new Epi-Pens yearly.

How Many People Have Food Allergies?

  • Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies.
  • This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s roughly two in every classroom.
  • The economic cost of children’s food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year.

Now we can understand why Mylan, the pharmaceutical company has raised the prices.

Guatemala Epi Pen Q50 | Mylan Epi Pen $584 USD

Yesterday I called around to different pharmacies in Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Central Medico in Guatemala City to find out the prices of an Epi Pen in Guatemala. Q50 which is about $6.60 USD at today’s exchange rate. If you are vacationing in Guatemala stock up on Epi Pens.

A petition to Congress protesting the price increase, called “Stop the EpiPen Price Gouging,” has emerged on social media. It has collected more than 48,000 signatures.

http://www.petition2congress.com/20720/stop-epipen-price-gouging/

We ask that there be an investigation and regulation into the 420% (adjusted for inflation!) increase in the price of Epi Pens since 2004.

Millions of people with severe allergies carry Epi Pens to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions.

With this oppressive price increase, many EMT’s and families are turning to manual syringes as a cheaper alternative, though doctors and patient advocates warn that it’s more complicated to get the correct dose of epinephrine and it administer safely with a syringe. Some families will be forced to hang on to expired Epi Pens, or worse, go without entirely.

Now According to Maylan’s Website:

Mylan is one of the largest generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world. We manufacture and market more than 1,400 different medicines to retail, wholesale, government, and institutional customers.

Why Generics?

Low cost and high quality. According to IMS Health, generic medicines, including those manufactured by Mylan, saved the U.S. health care system an estimated $1.2 trillion from 2003 to 2012. And Mylan applies one global quality standard across our facilities and across our product line regardless of the market.

Guatemala drug prices are consistently lower than the U.S. Why?

Most of Panajachel pharmacies are located on Avenida Santander, the main street The pharmacy we like the most is on Calle Santander and called Pharmacy Santander which has English speaking staff and is the very best in Western Medicine at a fraction of the cost of what is found in the U.S. They offer the best Guatemala drug prices.

3 replies
  1. DebInAntigua
    DebInAntigua says:

    Can you share what you asked for (specifically) when getting EPI Pen prices in Guatemala? We’ve asked at several pharmacies in Antigua, even shown pictures, and haven’t been able to find anyone who can sell them to us. Maybe we’re asking for the wrong thing. What is the Spanish drug name to request?

  2. Kate S
    Kate S says:

    This info might be true for Lake Atilan but deifnately not Antigua. i went to 9 pharmacies, the private hosptial and 2 vets, prescription in hand, before I found someone that can help me. Belan Vet offered to order me some vials, not epi pens, such a relief! I have a dog that is allergic to bees so no patient assistance program in the us :-( I’ve been having to run red lights to get her to the vet for an emergency injection for the last 7 years, it sucks!

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