Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

            In the near future I will be introducing legislation aimed at providing greater protection to children living with food allergies.  This legislation will permit schools to obtain a prescription from a physician for an epinephrine auto injector “EpiPen.”   One in 13 children suffers from various forms of food allergies.  In many cases where the child suffers an allergic reaction, the child experiences anaphylaxis – a severe allergic reaction that can result in death if not treated immediately.  Anaphylaxis accounts for over 300,000 hospital visits by children each year in the United States.  Medical experts recommend that individuals who experience acute systemic allergic reactions be instructed to err on the side of caution and inject epinephrine promptly.   The epinephrine contained in an EpiPen works quickly, usually within minutes, and its effects are extremely brief.  The following provides a brief summary of my proposal.
 
This legislation is modeled after the 2011 Illinois law and would allow schools to stock and utilize EpiPens to address life-threatening allergic reactions and permits authorized personnel to administer the EpiPen to any student suffering from anaphylaxis.  Under this legislation, a school may obtain a physician’s prescription for a supply of EpiPens that will be maintained in the school in a safe and secure setting.  This legislation is particularly vital given the data strongly suggesting that up to 25% of all EpiPen administration occurs in a school setting where the student’s risk for anaphylaxis was unknown at the time of the event.  In addition, use of epinephrine within minutes of a student’s food allergy exposure can literally save a child’s life by opening his or her airway until emergency personnel arrive.  This legislation provides the school with the option to maintain a supply of EpiPens and it is not mandatory.
 
RRS:jmd
 
PREVIOUS COSPONSORS: BISHOP, BOBACK, BRIGGS, V. BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIS, DEASY, DeLUCA, FABRIZIO, GIBBONS, GILLEN, HALUSKA, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, MAHONEY, MILLARD, MURT, QUINN, READSHAW, STABACK, STEVENSON, TALLMAN, THOMAS, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD