F.D.A. Approves Generic EpiPen That May be cheaper

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the primary generic version of EpiPen, providing new competition that would help drive down the value of a lifesaving product that had become a notorious symbol of high drug prices.

The generic copy is formed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and can rival Mylan, which had come under intense criticism for raising the worth of its EpiPensixfold since buying it in 2007.

Mylan’s device has been suffering from periodic shortages, with consumers scrambling again in recent months to seek out a reliable supply.

The drug-device product is an epinephrine auto-injector, which may be used for the treatment of life-threatening allergies to such things as peanuts and bee stings, in adults and youngsters who weigh quite 33 pounds.

Teva was approved to plug the generic version in 0.3 mg and 0.15 mg strengths.

Scott Gottlieb, the commissioner of the F.D.A., who had talked during his Senate hearing about getting to speed approval of some generic products to lower costs said he was pleased with the timing.

“It’s a really important approval beforehand of a back-to-school season when parents leave and buy these products,” Dr. Gottlieb said.

“This approval means patients living with severe allergies who require constant access to lifesaving epinephrine should have a lower-cost option, also as another approved product to assist protect against potential drug shortages.”

It seemed doubtful that Teva would have the merchandise ready purchasable within the next few weeks when school begins.

A corporation a spokeswoman declined to mention when it might be available, or what proportion it might cost.

“We're applying our full resources to the present important launch within the coming months and want to begin supplying the market,” said Doris Saltkill, a spokeswoman, in an email.

But consumers will eventually be ready to have it substituted for the MylanEpiPen at the pharmacy. Mylan has raised the worth from under $100 to over $600 for a group of two injections.

The EpiPen is meant to automatically inject a dose of epinephrine into a person’s thigh to prevent an allergy. Epinephrine works by reducing swelling within the airway and increasing blood flow within the veins.

Jennifer Madsen, head of federal advocacy for the allergy Research & Education advocacy group based in Virginia, said about 15 millions of Americans, including six million children, have food allergies. Of those, Ms.

Madsen estimated that potentially 2.4 million children have had a life-threatening incident. Her organization has been pushing the F.D.A. to approve a generic EpiPen for an extended time.

“We’re very excited to possess this big win for the allergy community,” she said.

“Particularly insight into this national shortage.”

In May, after many consumers reported that they couldn’t buy EpiPens, the F.D.A. announced there have been shortages of two sorts of epinephrine auto-injectors, including Mylan’sEpiPen, and Adrenaclick, made by Impax Laboratories.

The agency attributed the shortages to manufacturing problems. Another brand, called Audi-Q, was available but wasn't covered by as many insurance policies.

The EpiPen has had a troubled history. And Mylan itself, stung by congressional inquiries and criticism released its own generic version that costs about half the maximum amount.

In August of last year, Mylan announced that it had finalized a $465 million settlement with the Department of Justice about claims that it overcharged the federal for the merchandise.

Last September, the F.D.A. accused the drugmaker, Pfizer, which manufactures the EpiPen for Mylan, of failing to properly investigate reports of EpiPen malfunctions, including cases during which patients became severely ill or died after the device didn't work.

An F.D.A. warning to Pfizer said that Meridian Medical Technologies, which may be a unit of the drug giant, didn't adequately examine problems with a critical component of the EpiPen, the mechanism that ensures that it fires and delivers the right dose.

At the time, a Pfizer spokeswoman said the corporate was confident within the EpiPen’s safety and efficacy, and said it had no information to point that there was any causal connection between the merchandise complaints and any patient deaths.