Why You Shouldn't Buy EpiPens on eBay

In your search to save money on the high-priced EpiPen, you might be tempted to turn to the “gray market”—Craigslist, Ebay, or other websites. We found EpiPens, the life-saving devices that reverse severe allergic reactions, for several hundred dollars cheaper than at your pharmacy, some for as little as $70 per two-pack.

But buying them from these websites is bad idea, for several reasons.

First, it's illegal. "Prescription drugs may only be sold by pharmacies and other dispensers that are licensed in the United States," says Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Theresa Eisenman. 

In addition, buying prescription drugs on the gray market puts you at risk of using adulterated, expired, or counterfeit medication, according to Carmen Catizone, D.Ph., the executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. 

“There are a number of potential dangers involved in buying prescription drugs through websites that are not legitimate pharmacies, particularly a medication like EpiPen, which you need to deliver life-saving medication during an emergency,” Catizone says. “If you're buying EpiPen online without a prescription, you don’t know what you’re getting or how it was stored. It could be water or even a tainted solution," Catizone adds. 

As a rule of thumb for purchasing any prescription drugs online, stick with a legitimate online pharmacy, Catizone says. A legitimate pharmacy will require a prescription and will include ".pharmacy" at the end of the web address, which indicates that the site is licensed and has been verified by the NABP.

You can also look for the seal from the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program, or VIPPS, indicating that the company completed voluntary accreditation through the NABP. For a list of accredited sites (and those not recommended), go to nabp.net.

Save Money With Generic Adrenaclick

Meanwhile if you need an EpiPen and can't afford it, there are ways to lower costs. Drugmaker Mylan offers a co-pay coupon, which might provide savings for many people. You can also try the lower-cost EpiPen alternative; this epinephrine auto-injector is often referred to as generic Adrenaclick. We found it for as low as $140 at Walmart using a GoodRx coupon.

Generic Adrenaclick contains the same drug, epinephrine, in the same dosage as EpiPen, but in a different auto-injector. And if you live in one of a handful of states (see the list below), you can show up at the pharmacy with your EpiPen prescription and ask to substitute it for generic Adrenaclick without having to go back to your doctor for a new prescription.

When it's time to fill the prescription, ask whether the pharmacy offers Adrenaclick for a lower price or takes discount coupons like those from GoodRx.com. Prices likely vary from one pharmacy to the next.

Reporting Illegal Prescription Sales

According to Einsenman, you should beware any website that allows you to buy medicine without a prescription from your doctor or that offers very low prices that seem too good to be true.

If you come across gray-market listings for prescription products, you should report it, Catizone advises. Both eBay and Craigslist have policies that prohibit the sale of prescription drugs on their websites and provide a mechanism to report or flag violations.

Catizone also urges you to report prescription drugs sold on unauthorized sites to the FDA and their local board of pharmacy, which in some cases will not have direct jurisdiction, but might put added pressure on the FDA to take actions to stop counterfeiters. 

Report illegal sales of prescription drugs directly to the FDA online via the agency's online form or by calling 866-300-4374. 

Editor's Note: This article and related materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multistate settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).

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