Representative Jones Supports Legislation Expanding Access to EpiPens

Devices are proven to save the lives of those suffering an allergic reaction

BOSTON – House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) recently supported legislation to increase the availability of life-saving epinephrine autoinjectors, more commonly known as EpiPens.

House Bill 5443, An Act relative to increasing access to epinephrine, was engrossed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 149-0 on May 20. The bill seeks to ensure that restaurants, recreation camps, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, colleges, universities, sports arenas and other authorized entities can maintain an adequate supply of epinephrine injectors in a readily accessible location in case of a medical emergency.

“Time is of the essence when someone suffers an allergic reaction and goes into anaphylactic shock,” said Representative Jones. “Having epinephrine injectors on hand can literally mean the difference between life and death.”

Under the House proposal, employees of an authorized entity would be required to complete an anaphylaxis training program to become authorized to administer an epinephrine autoinjector. These employees would be responsible for the storage, maintenance and oversight of the medical devices.

Jones noted that House Bill 5443 includes liability protections for authorized entities and employees who act in good faith when administering an epinephrine autoinjector. Authorized entities would be responsible for documenting every instance of the medical device being used by submitting paperwork to the Department of Public Health (DPH), which will publish an annual report analyzing the data it receives.

Maine, Rhode Island and New York already have similar laws.

In addition to supporting House Bill 5443, Jones is also the lead sponsor on House Bill 611, which would require all Massachusetts schools to maintain an emergency stock supply of epinephrine, and House Bill 1206, which would require health insurers to provide coverage for appropriate weight-based dosages of epinephrine injectors and would prohibit them from imposing any deductible, coinsurance, copayments, or out-of-pocket limits that exceed what they impose on any other prescribed drug.

House Bill 5443 is currently under review by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.