Looks like the EpiPen will face some competition in 2017

After months of public outrage and an investigation into the high cost of EpiPens, the makers of an alternative auto-injector announced they are bringing it back.

Kaléo Pharmaceuticals, a small, privately held company, plans to have the Auvi-Q epinephrine auto-injector back on the market in 2017, according to NPR.

The Auvi-Q works just like the EpiPen, injecting a dose of potentially life-saving epinephrine used to treat severe allergic reactions.

The Auvi-Q was taken off the market last year because of reports the device didn’t deliver a reliable dose of medication, NPR reports.

Kaléo’s founder, Eric Edwards, says the company has fully automated the production of the auto-injectors, adding that it has a 100-point quality control inspection to make sure each delivers a consistent dose of epinephrine.

Unfortunately for consumers, it’s unclear whether the return of the Auvi-Q will lower prices, as its list price hasn’t’ been determined. When it was previously available, it cost more than the EpiPen.

To learn more about what’s driving up the cost of prescription medications of all types, check out the “High RX Costs” issues page on the Voices for Affordable Health website. Be sure to sign up for email updates.