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thecollegian
Sept. 9, 2016
Unfair price mark-up for EpiPen
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EpiPens are essential for those prone to deadly allergic reactions towards specific things such as peanuts or milk. The price for a pack containing two EpiPens used to run anywhere from $60-$100; but as the need for these pens increased throughout the years, so has the prices. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Delta student Justine Ferbo. Though Ferbo herself isn’t allergic to anything, a family member of hers is allergic to cats. “My sister can’t be around them,” said Ferbo. “When she is, she starts having trouble breathing.” Rather than investing in the pricey EpiPens, Ferbo’s sister is looking elsewhere. “There are cheaper alternatives,” says Ferbo, “but doctors will usually go towards the most expensive alternative, rather than the cheaper one.” It now costs around $600 for a pack containing two of the exact same EpiP-
portant product be accessible to anyone that needs it.” Mylan’s efforts to provide a cheaper, generic EpiPen may backfire, for the price of this generic pen is still high. “I still think its old fashioned capitalism, unfortunately,” said Stockton resident Chris Morales. “It’s un-reasonable to charge that much for a tool that some people need to survive.” Morales isn’t allergic to anything, nor is anyone else he knows; but said the pricing is unfair. “It’s like these big corporations are all in it together; we don’t know what’s put in our food or how people’s bodies react to pesticides. But when we get sick, we go to the companies that charge these prices.”
OT OB
Opinion Editor
ens that not only used to be cheaper, but reportedly cost no more than $20 dollars to make. The amount of the lifesaving epinephrine inside one EpiPen is one dollars’ worth, according to an article on Bloomberg.com. The pen itself is said to cost just a few dollars more. “People who have created workarounds for EpiPens have spent just $15 or so on the syringes,” according to cnbc.com. Mylan, the company that bought the rights to the EpiPen back in 2007, has released information of a cheaper generic EpiPen it will release. This generic EpiPen will run customers around $300, instead of $600 and is said to be released in several weeks, according to Mylan. Though the exact date for release is unknown, it’s speculated to be soon. “We understand the public’s frustration and concerns with the cost of the EpiPen to the patient,” said Mylan CEO Heather Bresch on the Myland website, “and have always shared the public’s desire to ensure that this im-
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By Mikael Honzell
ITA
Life-saving pen breaks the bank and skyrockets to $600
Catch ‘em All: Pokémon GO brings players together KWDC: Back By Chanelle Muerong
The game gave a nostalgic feel as it allowed players to walk around and catch Since July 6, Pokemon Pokémon like in the games. fans have spent time fulfillPlayers could make ing their childhood dream their Pokémon stronger by of becoming the very best giving them “candies.” Pokémon Master, like no Delta has almost 30 “poke one ever was. stops” and two gyms, making That’s when Pokémon it an easy area for players to GO was released as a col- level up between classes. laboration between the Pokémon eggs can Pokémon Company and be hatched by walking Niantic Labs took over the around. world in a matter of days.. Students can hatch eggs “I think it’s really nos- as they walk from their car talgic for a lot of people,” to campus. said 25-year-old Michaela The players were also alJacobson. “When you’re lowed to join one of three a kid you’ve always to do teams - Instinct, Valor and that and so now you can do Mystic - as soon as they it and I think that’s great.” hit a certain level. More than longtime Gyms are a little bit diffans were attracted. ferent. Instead of battling Newer generations had gym leaders and collecta crack at the game as well. ing badges, the gyms were “I’m kind of new to being led by the different the Pokémon world,” said teams. 18-year-old T.G. RobA little bit confusing erts. “Everyone was talking but people seemed to enabout it and now I’m kind joy the mix of old and new of addicted.” features. Pokémon fans old Feature Co-Editor
and new gathered from all over to play the game. During summer, the creator of Stockton Con, Mike Millerick, with the help of several local businesses, created and hosted a Pokémon GO meet up at Weber Point. More than 200 people showed up and walked through downtown as a group to “poke-stops” and gyms. In the recent months, however, there has been a 20 percent drop in user activity. Some went as far as deleting the game entirely. Complaints have been seen and heard from all around about various things, including the lack of updates. “I definitely don’t play as much as I did when the game first came out,” said Brooke Becker, a student at Delta College. Starting Sept. 5, however, Niantic stated there would be
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big updates on the game that would hopefully bring players back to the game. “I think that’s amazing!” Becker replied, when told about the rumors of a big update. “I still feel that the game was released too early. There were a lot of issues with the app but at least now they have a chance to improve it and make it even better! I’m excited to see what they have in store for us, I’m sure it’ll be great!” With these updates, time will tell if the game goes back to being No. 1, or if it’ll stay where it is.
legitimate concern. “I thought they were the same thing,” said Delta student Leo Phillips when asked about whether he knew about the difference between KWDC and KXVS. “I saw the windows were all covered up so I went to the website and saw that they were on the Miracle Mile now. I just figured maybe Delta got a better place to do their shows.” Regardless of how things play out between Delta College and KXVS, Brogger is excited for the future of KWDC. The current plan is for more automated and pre-recorded content than there was before with only four hours of live programming per day. The focus is on quality, not quantity. “In terms of show content, it will still be student driven,” she said. “There are plans for some shows that myself and the program director have given thought to.” Brogger and Villagomez stress that KWDC serves as an instuctional facility, and will be broadcasting shows that have production value worthy of being on the air.
The Political Edge With Killian Barnhart and Zach Merces With the primaries over, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have head into the general election. Trump started off rocky with various gaffes from taking a soldier’s Purple Heart to claiming Obama and Clinton were the founders and MVP’s of ISIS. While this led to a comfortable lead for Clinton, who hasn’t appeared for any press conferences in over 200 days, the polls show that the comfortable gap she had is closing. Trump made several mistakes such as taking a soldier’s Purple Heart to claiming that the ‘gun people’ can take care of Clinton has given Clinton a healthy 12 point lead. According to RealClearPolitics, despite her initial 12 point lead, polls show Trump is closing the gap, as Clinton leads by an average of 5.3%.
national
While local elections aren’t as roller coaster as national elections, Stockton isn’t free of controversy. Mayor Anthony Silva’s campaign is being rocked with controversies such as his gun being used in a slaying of a child and not reporting the gun stolen. Silva is also under investigation for allegedly being caught playing strip poker with teenagers and recording the act without consent. Michael Tubbs has seem to become a favorite within the community. Silva’s recent actions leaves the Tubbs campaign with a massive advantage. The League of Women Voters will be hosting the first mayoral debates between Mayor Silva and Tubbs here at Delta College.
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