AAFA Applauds Walgreens and Kaléo Partnership, Increasing Patient Access to Life-Saving Epinephrine
AAFA Applauds Walgreens and Kaléo Partnership, Increasing Patient Access to Life-Saving Epinephrine
September 10, 2018 - Landover, MD - Walgreens and kaléo, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, are working together to improve access to epinephrine auto-injectors by making kaléo’s AUVI-Q® available through Walgreens locations nationwide. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) applauds this effort to help thousands of Americans with their epinephrine needs during the back to school season, as supply issues have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by other manufacturers.
AUVI-Q is a prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat emergency allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions. Through the AUVI-Q AffordAbility program provided by kaléo, eligible patients with commercial insurance can obtain AUVI-Q at no cost. For eligible patients who do not have insurance or prescription drug coverage, kaléo may be able to support through its patient assistance program.
“Private insurance, pharmacy benefit companies, the federal government and pharmaceutical companies must work together”, states AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. “The Walgreens and kaléo partnership is an example of how cooperation among key stakeholders can save lives, solve a drug shortage issue and most importantly; grant access to patients to avert a crisis.”
For patients who are unable to fill their current epinephrine prescriptions, Walgreens pharmacists will work with each patient’s healthcare practitioner to see if AUVI-Q is right for them. AUVI-Q is available through Walgreens for patients with commercial insurance. Medicare patients should check with their individual health plan to verify their specific benefits, as AUVI-Q coverage varies by Medicare plan. To learn more about patient eligibility, visit www.auvi-q.com/getting-auvi-q/
About AAFA
Celebrating 65 years of service, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through research, education, advocacy and support. AAFA provides practical information and community-based services through its digital communities and network of chapters and support groups. Through its Kids with Food Allergies division, AAFA offers the most extensive online support community for families of children with food allergies. AAFA also helps consumers identify products suitable for those with asthma and allergies through the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program. For more information, visit www.aafa.org.
