epipen

Novartis aims to solve EpiPen shortage with generic launch of Symjepi to US pharmacies

pharmafile | July 10, 2019 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Mylan, Novartis, Sandoz, US, epipen, pharma 

Novartis has announced the immediate availability of its generic epinephrine auto-injector in pharmacies throughout the US, as it moves to remedy the nation’s shortage of the potentially life-saving drug.

The shortage, which has now gone on for an entire year, hinges on the availability of Mylan’s EpiPen, the most common and well-known version of the drug, in what the FDA has characterised as “manufacturing delays”. The problem, according to Mylan, lies at the feet of Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer subsidiary that manufactures the devices.

In response to the ongoing shortage, Novartis’ Sandoz unit made its Symjepi auto-injector available to hospitals in January, but now is extending that availability to pharmacies, as part of a commercialisation agreement with Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corp. The price for a two-pack is $250 – $50 cheaper than Mylan’s own generic version of its flagship product.  

According to Pfizer, the ongoing shortage should be expected to continue over the coming months.

Matt Fellows

Related Content

Novartis shares new data about Fabhalta for IgAN treatment

Novartis has announced new results from a pre-specified interim analysis of its phase 3 APPLAUSE-IgAN …

FDA approves Sandoz’s denosumab biosimilars

Sandoz has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wyost (denosumab-bbdz) …

chuttersnap-oijvdm3zx4i-unsplash

Novartis shares new data for Zolgensma in children with SMA

Novartis has announced new data to continue the support of the clinical benefits of Zolgensma …

Latest content