Drug That Can Help With AllergiesApproved By FDA But Can Come With a Heavy Price Tag

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a drug that can help those with food allergies in cases of accidental exposure. Xolair, which has been used to treat asthma for decades, is now being administered to help mitigate the severity of allergic reactions. In a study, 168 subjects who were allergic to peanuts were given the drug incrementally, and then introduced to the equivalent of two and a half peanuts. Of those, 68% did not exhibit moderate to severe symptoms. Dr. Sunil Joshi, a partner at Family Allergy & Asthma Consultants, spoke to News4JAX and shared that while this is a significant development, it doesn't mean individuals with food allergies can consume whatever they want. The medication can cost between $2,000 to $5,000 a month for those without insurance, and negotiations for coverage with insurance companies will begin soon. While many are celebrating this new development, others have raised concerns over the cost of the medication for those who need it. Some have suggested that the cost of the medication could be covered by insurance, but this would likely result in higher premiums.