News

Bill to Make Auto-Injectors Accessible to Allergy Sufferers

Bill to Make Auto-Injectors Accessible to Allergy Sufferers

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  Lawmakers in Maine are considering a proposal that seeks to make epinephrine autoinjectors more accessible to people who need them.

Epinephrine autoinjectors are also known by the product name “EpiPen.” They’re used for emergency treatment of conditions including anaphylaxis caused by an allergic reaction.

Democratic Sen. Shenna Bellows has introduced a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense the autoinjectors at no cost to the patient. It would also create a fund that allows pharmacists to apply for reimbursement for the autoinjectors that are provided free of charge.

The bill was the subject of a public hearing before a state legislative committee on March 7. It will spend more time in committee before moving on to the full Maine Legislature. A work session is scheduled for Tuesday.

Latest Headlines

4 hours ago in Local

Kittery Man is Maine’s Top Finisher in Boston Marathon

Results reported by the Boston Athletic Association show there were 165 entries from Maine in the race.

5 hours ago in Local

Wildfire Awareness Week Declared in Maine

Maine has experienced 71 wildfires that have burned 48 acres so far in April.

7 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Defending champion John Korir breaks Boston Marathon record and Sharon Lokedi also repeats

John Korir outran the strongest field in Boston Marathon history and still had enough energy left to bounce around Boylston Street after learning he had blistered the course record, too.

7 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Singer D4vd charged with murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, found dismembered in his car

Singer D4vd has been charged with murder in the death of a 14-year-old girl who was last known to be alive nearly a year ago and whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla, prosecutors said Monday.

8 hours ago in Local

Scarborough police search for driver after pursuit

Scarborough police are searching for a suspect they say led officers on a chase before fleeing on foot.