EpiPen alternatives on the way?

At least part of the EpiPen controversy has turned out the way pharmaceutical pariah Martin Shkreli predicted. Shkreli, despised for raising the price of a specialty drug, was one of the few defenders of Mylan NV, which, in the course of a few years, raised the price of the emergency allergy treatment device from $94 to $608 for a two-pack.

Mylan has reacted to the backlash first by offering a half-off coupon for those paying full price, then by deciding to offer a half-price generic version of the device.

The boost in prices, as Shkreli predicted, has generated new interest in manufacturing an alternative. At least two companies are trying to get U.S. approval to sell a rival brand or generic version of EpiPen, but they won't be on the market until 2017.

We also saw a posting from a doctor explaining how a less convenient alternative, a vial of the medication and a syringe, could be kept on hand for less than $10. That might require special training for parents or other adults caring for children with allergies, but would certainly be a welcome alternative to not having needed medication on hand.

Mylan NV stock jumped more than 2 percent, or $1.02, to $44.05 before markets opened today.