PITTSBURGH — Mylan Inc., maker of the EpiPen epinephrine auto-injectors, has signed a multiyear agreement with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to help raise awareness of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Mylan said Friday that the agreement includes updated maps in Disney’s domestic theme parks and on its cruise ships plus updated signage in the parks that highlight locations with EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. auto-injectors.
Plans also call for the companies to introduce educational resources to increase awareness of and preparedness for severe allergic reactions.
EpiPen locations will roll out at Disney parks and on cruise ships beginning in late 2014, according to Mylan. In addition to emergency medical services, nurses trained to administer EpiPen auto-injectors are available during first aid station operating hours to assist guests experiencing a severe allergic reaction. To help guests identify EpiPen locations, Disney’s guide maps will now include an EpiPen auto-injector symbol and new signage at first aid stations.
"We are committed to enhancing access to EpiPen auto-injectors and to increasing awareness of anaphylaxis. Like life, severe allergic reactions are unpredictable, so people need to be prepared," stated Mylan chief executive officer Heather Bresch. "We are very proud to be working with Disney, which already has a strong reputation for meeting the needs of people managing severe allergies and believe we can further raise awareness of anaphylaxis through this collaboration and our joint commitment to education."
EpiPen (epinephrine 0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (epinephrine 0.15 mg) auto-injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening anaphylaxis caused by allergens, exercise or unknown triggers, and for people who are determined to be at increased risk for these reactions. Families managing known severe allergies are urged to follow their individual anaphylaxis action plans and carry their epinephrine auto-injectors with them at all times.
"For our guests who live with severe allergies every day, identifying EpiPen locations is an additional tool they’ll have for their anaphylaxis management plan," stated Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "This new strategic alliance will help raise awareness of EpiPen locations so that our guests with severe allergies may have the best possible experience at our parks and on our cruise ships."
