Only one-half of adults with food allergies have immediate access to epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs), according to a study presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Jennaveve Yost and colleagues examined survey responses from 1,006 adults with food allergy, among whom 52% reported having ever been prescribed an EAI. “My doctor did not indicate it was really needed” and “I don’t believe I need it” were the top reasons cited explaining the access gap. Individuals with private health insurance were more likely to have a history of EAI prescription (59% through employer and 68% self-purchased) versus those on Medicare (48%) or Medicaid (51%). One-third of adults reported having
an unexpired EAI, while one-quarter reported always having access to EAIs. More than one third of respondents (36%) believed that EAIs can cause life-threatening side effects. Participants reported paying, on average, $476 out of pocket in the past year for EAIs.
