Auvi-Q Now Available in U.S.

The Auvi-Q™ is now available in the U.S.!

Click here for the Sanofi US press release.

(Disclaimer: Sanofi US flew me and several other people to New Jersey to view the new Auvi-Q and provide our thoughts.  We are under no obligation to speak at all, let alone favorably about the Auvi-Q.  I have been excited about this product from the moment I heard about it and would have raved about it, summit or no summit!)

Here's a picture from my previous post, showing
the Auvi-Q trainer on top of my HTC EVO.

Keep in mind that this small box contains TWO active devices
AND a trainer device and the trainer device pamphlet,
plus the prescribing information and patient information sheets!

This day came much faster than I anticipated! Here is some more information:

• Today, January 28, 2013, is the launch date for the Auvi-Q™ epinephrine auto-injector, here in the U.S.  
• It is the same device as the Allerject, which was launched in Canada.  
• You need a prescription for this device, just as you would for any other epinephrine auto-injector (EAI).  The Auvi-Q™ is a brand name and the prescription must be for the Auvi-Q™, specifically.   
• There are savings options available for your first 2 prescriptions:  You can either pay a $25 co-pay (up to a maximum savings of $60 on your insurance co-pay) or save $60 off the cash price, if you do not have insurance.  Go to www.auvi-q.com/signup to sign up for these savings.  You can also sign up for refill reminders for your Auvi-Q and/or other EAIs.
• Each pack comes with 2 live devices and 1 training device, which contains no drug.  (My set, pictured in this post, is the 0.15 mg dosage, for patients weighing 33-66 lb.  The 66 lb.+ device is orange.  The trainer is distinctively gray.  
• The Auvi-Q™ is said to be priced at the same price-point as the EpiPen®.  However, don't forget about the $60 savings on your first 2 prescriptions!  Edited to add:  Many are concerned that this device is going to be more expensive than the EpiPen®, but remember, EpiPen® is a brand name, and not a generic drug.  The Auvi-Q™ is also a brand name.  I called around and found it to be priced within $1 to $8 more and I really don't find that to be a material difference, given that it's brand-spanking new, plus you actually get $60 off your first two prescriptions, so that makes it $52 to $59 cheaper than the EpiPen, for your next refill.  :)  
• Edited to add: Depending on your physician, you shouldn't need a doctor's appointment to get a prescription, if you are refilling your epinephrine auto-injector.  I just called my allergist's office's "medication refill" line and told them about my EAIs that expired, and explained how I wanted to refill my epinephrine auto-injector specifically with the Auvi-Q™ and they called it in for me, without having to go in for an appointment.  
• Edited to add: (I just keep thinking of things, sorry!)  There's also Sanofi Patient Connection, which can provide assistance to those who qualify.  (See this PDF for eligibility criteria.)
• Insurance tip:  Some insurance plans allow for multiple 2-packs to be "purchased" under a single co-pay.  If your physician's office calls in more than one set at once (for example, a 2-pack for home and a  2-pack for school) you may only have to pay a single co-pay for the "order".  Individual insurance plans may vary, of course.  
• Apparently the medication is dispensed as "AUVI-Q 0.15 (or 0.3) mg INJ, 2VIAL", so make sure that your physician asks for "2 vials" for each set.  If you need two sets, make sure they ask for 4 vials, total.

My local Walgreens had the Auvi-Q™ in stock, so here are some pictures.  I had a set that expired and needed replacing and I was anxiously awaiting the Auvi-Q's release!

Oh, and the expiration date on the set I got is 04/2014, so it's good for 14 months!

Open box...

Contents of the box...

I removed the outer case to show
the visual instructions on the device...

Two devices stacked on top of each other...
I can STILL touch my middle finger to my thumb,
when holding them both in one hand!
(Remember, I have small hands, too...) ;)

Here's my HTC EVO laying down to show the length of the box...

If anyone has any questions that I have not answered here, or in one of my posts, below, please feel free to ask.  I think it's pretty obvious how excited I am about this device!  More people carrying their epinephrine = more lives saved! 

Links to my other posts about the Auvi-Q™:
Auvi-Q - New Epinephrine Auto-Injector Coming Soon
Auvi-Q - The Audio Visual Lifesaver
Auvi-Q Social Media Summit