The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first identical alternative to the EpiPen, which is widely used to save children and adults suffering from dangerous allergic reactions.
The FDA Thursday authorized Teva Pharmaceuticals USA to sell generic versions of the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr for adults and children who weigh more than 33 pounds.
The devices enable people to automatically inject the hormone epinephrine into the thigh when experiencing potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to bee stings, peanuts, drugs or other substances.
The EpiPen, which is made by Mylan, has sparked controversy because of its price. It can cost as much as $600 for a package of two pens, and the pens have to be replaced periodically. There have also been periodic shortages of the devices reported around the country.
The FDA says the approval of the new products should help with both cost and availability.
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