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New Law Allows Illinois Emergency Workers To Administer Epinephrine Via Syringe

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 Legislation signed into law last week allows emergency medical personnel to administer epinephrine using a vial and syringe.

The drug is often used to treat severe allergic reactions, such as from being stung by a bee. The cost of the auto-injector known as EpiPen has increased several times over in recent years.

 

GOP State Senator Chapin Rose says the idea for the law grew out of conversations with an east-central Illinois fire department. 

 

They said, hey, we can give this same life saving medicine. We’re spending $2400 a year right now. If we could do it with a syringe vial it would cost about $50 a year. So that’ s a huge savings for the Broadlands Longview fire department, but take that savings times the whole state of Illinois," he said. 

 
Rose says there are increased risks when giving the drug by syringe, such as contamination and giving the wrong dose. But he says new training mandated by the law will help emergency workers avoid mistakes.