Illinois says goodbye to the EpiPen

Posted on August 24, 2016
Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose says there is a way around the EpiPen for Illinois EMT’s. (WJBC File Photo)

By Terry James

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill that will save local emergency medical technicians thousands of dollars when treating those who are having allergic reactions.

Illinois State Sen. Chapin Rose said the same medication in the very expensive EpiPen can be delivered through a syringe for pennies on the dollar.

“You can get it for $50 if you just dispense it out of a vial,” said Rose. “$2400 versus $50 that is just crazy.”

Rose criticized EpiPen maker Mylan saying ‘[they are pricing themselves out of business.’ He said they are losing a large buyer of the product when Illinois no longer needs to buy EpiPens.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…