Anyone with a life-threatening allergy knows what an Epi-pen is. Better yet, anyone who is shown a picture of an Epi-pen has either seen one or has used one before. Life threatening allergies are so common it has become necessary for a large portion of people to know how to use an Epi-pen, whether they need one or not. With one bite or sting a person's life may be in danger and in need of a firm injection of the necessary medication. The Epi-pen, or the Epinephrine auto injector, dispenses a single dose of epinephrine to reverse the symptoms of allergies such as swelling and/or closed airways. It can even treat a person in cardiac arrest or specific infections in the airway.

An Epi-pen cost less than $100 a few years ago, but in recent days the price has been raised to nearly $500 or more. While an Epi-pen is non-reusable and only carries 1 dose of epinephrine, it is sold in packages of two. That means a single dose now costs $250 or more, and before only cost about $50. To make matters worse many insurance companies is are not covering the price change and patients are required to cover the bulk of a nearly 400% price increase.

There has been a great deal of speculation to explain why the price of such a necessity for so many people has skyrocketed in such a short period of time. One possible explanation is that the CEO of Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Heather Bresch, has seen a $16.5 million increase in her compensation over the past 8 years. A CEO's compensation typically consists of a salary, shares of stocks, and bonuses which are based on the desires of the company, certain laws and performance. The product itself has not changed which leads many to believe that this increase was for the sole benefit of the company's wallet.

This is not the first time we have seen the money come in the way of saving lives. Everyday healthcare is effected by pharmaceutical companies raising prices, insurance companies deciding not to cover life-threatening illness, and more. Over the past few years prices of vital medications have slowly been increasing, causing many to make tough decisions.

After a great deal of criticism Mylan has begun offering $100 coupons and agreed to lower prices. But is that enough? Who is to say they will restore the original price, or may not raise prices on other important drugs to compensate the loss of potential profit they hoped the Epi-pen would make them. Patents and corporations have become a problem within our drug industry of the past few decades. Have we reached a point where life-saving medications and vaccines need to be regulated to prevent the prices from soaring to unreachable heights? Or will those medications become only accessible to those with the means to attain them?

As a person who carries an Epi-pen and has family who carries one as well I find it unfair that companies should make large profits on life saving devices. An Epi-pen is not the latest gadget or software, but often the one thing standing between life and death. Having an Epi-pen is not a choice, but a necessity and should be regarded as such.