Experts Laud Plan that Could Put Epinephrine in Schools
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JACKSON, Tenn. – State legislators consider a proposal that would allow epinephrine auto-injectors in public and private schools in Tennessee. The device treats serious allergic reactions. “We do have a large number of students that have EpiPens,” said Annette Wilson, School Health Administrator for Jackson-Madison County Schools. “We‘re finding each year more and more children are coming in with food allergies.” Lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow at least two auto-injectors per campus. “We always need to be prepared for what could happen,” Wilson said. Dr. Vernessa Davis-Tharpe, a pediatrician at East Jackson Family Medical Center, supports the proposal. “If there‘s an EpiPen in the school and someone who‘s trained to use it then it can be a life savor,” she said. Wilson backs the idea, but worries about the cost. Wilson estimates devices run anywhere from about $240 to $250 and have to be replaced every year. “For our district, I know it would be about $6500 to put an Epi twin pack at every building,” she said. The House and Senate finance committees are expected to discuss the bill next week.
