Epipen Jr.

[hky1216]

My daughter has nuts allergy and doctor recommended her to carry an epipen with her wherever she goes. I find that the cost of epipen varies rather widely. The price ranges from $135 - $185 per pen in different hospital pharmacies. I wonder where is the cheapest place to get one with long expiry date. Anyone knows??? Is it possible to get insurance to cover the cost? It is a very expensive medication!

[myebelle]

Wow… I didn’t know that is so expensive in Singapore. In Australia, we can get them on prescription … usually the doctor writes the script for 2 epipens, and we’ll get them for A$36 for both. The pens usually have a 2-3 years expiry. I don’t know how much they are if we buy them without prescription. If you’re interested, I can find out for you?


In saying that, nut allergy is not something to take lightly. Their airways can swell up in a matter of seconds causing difficulty or inability to breathe. Though expensive, this is a lifesaver for anaphylaxis. Did the doctor say she has an anaphylactic reaction or is it just intolerance? I’m guessing it’s anaphylactic reaction since he recommended an epipen. If that’s the case, it is highly recommended that you get two. One for her to carry around, one for the school. It is probably also recommended that you inform her school about it so they know she carries an epipen in case she has a reaction. I don’t know about the teachers in Singapore, but teachers in Australia are trained to administer an epipen.

Let me know if you want me to enquire about the epipens here.

Cheers!
Michelle

[myebelle]

Interestingly, teachers are also not allowed to administer panadol/nurofen here because it's an over-the-counter med. If it's a prescribed medication, i.e. with dispensing labels, the doctor obviously said the child needs it, it is then ok. It'll be kept at the sick bay, and the teacher in charge of sick bay will summon the kid to the sick bay when it's medication time.


Epipen is hardly something people would administer to 'reduce symptoms'. It is to let someone live, much like what CPR or a fibrillator does. It is part of First Aid. I should think they are trained in First Aid, hence know how to administer one.

[hky1216]

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your reply. It would be great if you can inquire about the cost of Epipen in Australia for me. My daughter's reaction is an anaphylactic one. And yes I do have two, one to be kept in school and the other to be carried around. I just purchased one last month for about S$135 with one-year expiry. Do you live in Australia? I won't need to buy new Epipen for another year or so but it would be great to know places selling cheaper ones in case next time I need again.
Thanks so much!

[myebelle]

hky1216:

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your reply. It would be great if you can inquire about the cost of Epipen in Australia for me. My daughter's reaction is an anaphylactic one. And yes I do have two, one to be kept in school and the other to be carried around. I just purchased one last month for about S$135 with one-year expiry. Do you live in Australia? I won't need to buy new Epipen for another year or so but it would be great to know places selling cheaper ones in case next time I need again.
Thanks so much!

hky1216.... yes I do live in Melbourne (for the past 13 years). Funny you ask, because my husband is interviewing for a position in Singapore. If all goes well, I'm coming home with my family! :please: :please:

1-year expiry seems pretty short. Maybe because it's not common in Singapore? Here, on an average, almost every class has at least 1 kid who is anaphylactic, it's scary. So most schools, if not all, are nut-free schools. I will find out the price for you and let you know soon.

Michelle

[hky1216]

Thanks Michelle. Good luck to your husband's job interview.

[sue1541]

Hi Michelle


I have a daughter who is allergy to peanut too.
We gotten a shock of our life a couple of weeks ago when her lips turn purple grasping for breath. I am appreciative if there is some way you can help us to obtain the epipen.

[myebelle]

Sure.... Sorry I've been very busy and had slipped my mind. I will ring the pharmacy to enquire tomorrow. Report back tomorrow afternoon. :salute: