For students with severe allergies, an EpiPen is more than a medical device — it’s a lifeline.
“I never leave the house without it,” said one high school junior, who has a life-threatening peanut allergy. “It’s not like a phone or a water bottle. Forgetting it could literally be fatal.”
EpiPens, which deliver a quick dose of epinephrine to stop severe allergic reactions, have been a staple for allergy sufferers for decades. The technology is simple, the science behind it is over a century old, and the drug itself costs less than a dollar per milliliter to produce. Yet today, a two-pack of EpiPens can cost more than $600 — a price many families struggle to afford. And so the question remains: Why? Why is there such a steep price hike?
The steep costs aren’t due to innovation or improvements in the product. In fact, little has changed about the EpiPen itself since the early 2000s. What has changed is market control. Over time, EpiPen’s manufacturer, Meridian Medical Technologies, has transitioned from offering single pens to mandatory twin-packs, often required in schools and public spaces. This shift, combined with increased demand and limited alternatives, has led to a dramatic spike in prices.
“I had to stop carrying extras at school and at my grandparents’ house,” said another student. “My parents just couldn’t keep buying multiple sets every year.”
Unlike many medications, EpiPens have a short shelf life — typically 12 to 18 months — meaning replacements are frequent and unavoidable. For families already paying high insurance premiums or living paycheck to paycheck, the cost can quickly add up.
One senior shared that her family has made difficult choices because of the price. “We’ve cut down on groceries, all to make sure I have one on hand,” she said. “It’s not something we can risk going without.”
The burden doesn’t fade with age. One adult allergy sufferer reflected on decades of spending: “It’s funny. If I didn’t have an allergy, all the money that I’ve spent on these EpiPens would be enough to buy a house.”
Generic versions exist, but they haven’t provided the relief many hoped for. Whether due to insurance complications, limited availability, or marginal price differences, the market has seen little disruption.
And while alternatives like Auvi-Q and Teva’s generic EpiPen have entered the scene, they’ve faced their own setbacks, including recalls and inconsistent insurance coverage. For many, the name-brand EpiPen remains the most accessible — if not the most affordable — option.
Some industry voices argue that regulatory hurdles and insurance practices are to blame. But to families dealing with daily anxiety over affording a life-saving medication, that reasoning feels insufficient.
“This is literally a matter of life or death for us,” said one student. “It shouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars to stay alive.”
The EpiPen isn’t just an isolated case. It’s one example of a deeper, systemic problem: a healthcare industry that often prioritizes profits over people. The pattern is clear — when a product becomes essential, it becomes exploitable. From insulin to inhalers to several forms of prescription medication, the American medical system has repeatedly demonstrated how fear and necessity can be turned into a business model. It’s smart and incredibly evil.
Emergency medications, especially those relied on by children and families, are at a significant disadvantage in this system. There’s no substitute for survival — and companies know it. The less optional a drug is, the more powerful the profit margin becomes. It’s blatant exploitation.
What’s most concerning is not just the cost of these products, but the precedent they set: even in matters of urgent care, of emergencies, and of life-or-death moments, affordability is not guaranteed.
For now, families are left balancing safety and savings, hoping nothing goes wrong — and that their pen doesn’t expire before they can afford the next one. It’s an issue that can be easily fixed, and yet can help the 3.6 million people who rely on these EpiPens to live.