Don’t wait on tragedy for EpiPen change

Iowa's current rules for administering potentially lifesaving epinephrine injections to students suffering from allergic reactions are out of sync with reality.

Epinephrine injections, often called EpiPens after the most prevalent consumer product, are the primary treatment for anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that can lead to throat swelling, breathing difficulties, a steep drop in blood pressure and even death.

In people with severe allergies to foods, insect venom and other triggers, anaphylaxis can happen within minutes of exposure. But, if injected quickly, epinephrine (adrenalin) can stall symptoms, providing time for emergency services to arrive.

Under current state law, Iowa school personnel are only allowed to administer an injection to students with a prescription. While many parents of children with serious food allergies supply an injector to school personnel or instruct their child to carry the device with them, not all have obtained a prescription.

Far more troubling is the prevalence of anaphylaxis from previously unknown triggers. That is, about 25 percent of the severe allergic reactions that could be combated with an epinephrine injection happen to people unaware of their allergy and without a prescription.

' Between 1997 and 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased by approximately 50 percent.

' Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room - more than 200,000 visits each year.

' Children, teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis.

' Failure to promptly treat anaphylaxis with epinephrine is a risk factor for fatalities.

School medical personnel are trained to identify severe allergic reactions. And, even if a mistake were made, the side effects of injection into otherwise healthy individuals are minimal, ranging from anxiety and restlessness to nausea to increased blood pressure. While we are prone to err on the side of caution in situations involving Iowa's young people, it is clear to see the benefits far outweigh the risks.

In fact, while proposed law changes would only allow school facilities to stock injectors and use them without a prescription, we favor requiring schools widely train staff and to keep epinephrine injectors on hand.

' Comments: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com