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Dey Recognizes California Legislators and the Governor for New Laws Protecting Students with Severe Allergies and Asthma
Napa, CA, September 30, 2004 - DEY, L.P. today recognized the California General Assembly and Governor Schwarzenegger for enacting legislation that provides school children with the right to carry and self-administer life-saving emergency medications for the treatment of asthma and severe allergies. A specialty pharmaceutical company located in Napa, DEY markets the EpiPenŽ, which is used for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, that can become fatal within minutes if untreated.
"At DEY, we feel a tremendous sense of responsibility for the well-being of those individuals, particularly children, who depend on their EpiPens to protect themselves from the sometimes fatal effects of severe allergies," said J. Melville Engle, President and Chief Executive Officer of DEY. "We know that many states do not allow students with severe allergies to carry their prescribed EpiPens while in school. We, and others, are working hard to ensure that laws (like California) are created to protect our children. We thank the many dedicated parents, patient advocates and legislators who worked tirelessly to see this law enacted in California. We will continue our efforts until every child in the country is protected."
There are currently 19 states that do not protect the rights of children to carry their prescribed medications for the treatment of severe allergies and asthma.
Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction that affects both children and adults in the United States. In the case of children with asthma and anaphylaxis, even a brief delay in receiving emergency treatment can be fatal. Asthma affects 17 million Americans, including almost 5 million children. In 1990 costs related to Asthma were estimated to total $6.2 billion. Today, asthma-related healthcare costs are estimated at $14 billion annually. (Source: Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics.)
Nancy Sander, President and Founder of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) said of the bill, "California's decision to protect kids with asthma and anaphylaxis allows them and their parents to breathe much easier. The often tragic consequences of the 1980's zero-tolerance movement that resulted in many states requiring all medications be locked in a nurse's or administrator's office were simply unacceptable to us. That is why AANMA has continued to work tirelessly and with the help of other partners, such as DEY, to ensure every state has progressive and protective laws."
Introduced by Assembly Member Sarah Reyes (D-Fresno), the legislation (AB 2132) allows California students the right to self-carry and administer asthma medication. A companion bill sponsored by Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield), SB 1912, allows students to carry and administer their auto-injectable epinephrine (EpiPenŽ) for anaphylaxis.
About DEY, L.P.
DEY, L.P., is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription drug products for the treatment of respiratory diseases and respiratory-related allergies. Since 1978, patients have benefited from DEY's commitment to innovative and affordable health care solutions.The Web sites for DEY include www.dey.com, www.accuneb.com, www.curosurfusa.com, www.duoneb.com and www.epipen.com. DEY is an associate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
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Contact:
DEY, L.P. Media Line
1-800-755-5560 ext. 8363
