New Law to Encourage Schools to have Epinephrine Available for Any Student with an Allergic Reaction

Six million children (one in twelve) in the United States suffer from some sort of food allergy.  However, parents are responsible for obtaining a prescription for Epinephrine (EpiPen) and having it available in school for them in case of emergency (for example if they have a life threatening anaphylactic reaction).  Children with unknown allergies or who may not have the medication available at school may be at danger if they do have an allergic reaction at school, because the medication is often not available.  However there is a new Act that may change this.  The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, introduced in the U.S. Senate in November and the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2011, encourages states to allow schools to have epinephrine on hand for use in any student who is having a serious allergic reaction.