Part of a new $45 million SPRY ad campaign to get Neffy in front of eyes before the next school year.
They have roughly $230 million in cash.
neffy ad on youtube today - Google Search
Also, who knew that in China you are not allowed to buy an Epipen to keep with you, outside of a
hospital setting? They plan to have the OK in China by year end. We'll see.
What Grok says:
Yes, you can own an EpiPen in China, but there are important considerations regarding availability, regulations, and practical use:
- Availability: EpiPens or equivalent epinephrine auto-injectors are not widely available in China and may not be sold over-the-counter in pharmacies. They are typically only available in hospitals, and even then, they may be provided as epinephrine injections without the auto-injector mechanism. You may need a prescription from a doctor, and hospitals are often the only source for obtaining epinephrine. Some sources suggest that alternatives like Jext (another epinephrine auto-injector) are available in Hong Kong, which has different regulations, and may be easier to access.
- Regulations: There are no explicit laws prohibiting ownership of an EpiPen in China for personal use, provided it is legally obtained. However, Chinese regulations on medications are strict, and importing prescription medications can be complex. If you bring an EpiPen from abroad, you should:
- Carry a doctor’s prescription or a medical certificate in English and Chinese to explain the need for the device.
- Declare it at customs to avoid issues, as China has restrictions on importing certain medications.
- Be aware that carrying medical devices like EpiPens through customs may require documentation to prove medical necessity.
- Practical Considerations:
- Cultural Awareness: Allergies, especially severe ones requiring epinephrine, may not be as widely understood in China. You may need to clearly communicate your condition, ideally in Mandarin, to ensure proper handling in emergencies.
- Access in Emergencies: If you need to use an EpiPen, you must still seek immediate medical attention by calling an ambulance (120) or heading to a hospital. Taxis may be faster in urban areas due to ambulance response times.
- Travel Recommendations: If you cannot secure an EpiPen in China, consider traveling to Hong Kong, where epinephrine auto-injectors are more readily available with a prescription.
- Language Barrier: Carry a translated card or note explaining your allergy and the need for an EpiPen to show to medical professionals or restaurant staff.
- Alternatives: If an EpiPen is unavailable, some hospitals in China provide epinephrine injections, but these may require manual administration and are not as user-friendly as auto-injectors.
You inability to easily buy an EpiPen in China stems from a combination of regulatory, market, and cultural factors:
- Limited Market Availability: EpiPens, produced by Mylan (now part of Viatris), are not widely distributed in mainland China. The epinephrine auto-injector market is underdeveloped due to low demand and awareness of severe allergic conditions like anaphylaxis. Most hospitals in China use epinephrine in vials or ampoules for manual injection rather than auto-injectors like EpiPens, which are less familiar to the healthcare system.
- Strict Drug Regulations: China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) tightly controls the approval and distribution of pharmaceuticals. EpiPens may not have been registered or approved for sale in mainland China, as manufacturers must navigate a complex and costly approval process. This limits their availability in pharmacies or retail settings.
- Prescription and Hospital-Centric System: Even if epinephrine auto-injectors were available, they would likely require a prescription. In China, medications for serious conditions are typically dispensed only in hospitals, not pharmacies. Patients often need to visit a hospital to obtain epinephrine, which is administered by medical professionals rather than provided as a take-home auto-injector.
- Low Awareness of Allergies: Severe food or environmental allergies are less commonly reported or diagnosed in China compared to Western countries. This reduces the perceived need for EpiPens, leading to lower demand and less incentive for manufacturers to market them. Cultural differences in diet and medical practices also contribute to this gap.
- Import Restrictions: Importing EpiPens for personal use is possible but heavily regulated. Chinese customs laws restrict bringing prescription medications into the country without proper documentation, such as a doctor’s prescription or medical certificate. Even with documentation, customs officials may confiscate or delay the release of such items if they are not approved for use in China.
- Economic and Logistical Barriers: The cost of registering and distributing EpiPens in China may not be justified for manufacturers, given the small market. Additionally, the cold-chain storage requirements for epinephrine auto-injectors add logistical challenges in a country where such infrastructure is not universally developed for this specific product.
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