Trending News Today: EpiPen Price Controversy Continues to Grow

UnitedHealth and the University of California recently announced plans to create a novel health plan option, and expand patient data research. Through the 10-year partnership, new accountable care organizations will be created, and offered to large employers in the state, according to California Heathline. UnitedHealth will also be opening a research lab to offer researchers access to a database containing patient records.

Another facet of the recent EpiPen outrage is how quickly the drugs must be replaced, adding an extra layer to concerns of high costs. Mylan says that the EpiPen expires every 12 to 18 months; however, that includes the time it takes to distribute the product to the customer. The storage of the EpiPen has a lot to do with how quickly it expires as well, according to Kaiser Health News.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now worried that their earlier recommendations to avoid the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine may deter individuals from getting protected. This recommendation came after an expert panel found that the nasal spray did not protect children from getting the flu for the third year in a row. The CDC is concerned populations that the flu is the most dangerous for, such as children, elderly people, pregnant women, and individuals with certain medicals condition, will not receive the vaccination now, according to The Washington Post.