A two-dose EpiPen package cost around $94 nine years ago but has climbed more than 600 percent to an average cost of $608 in May, according to the Elsevier Clinical Solutions’ Gold Standard Drug Database.
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The company, which did not lower the drug’s list price, said it would reduce the patient cost of EpiPen through the use of a savings card, which will cover up to $300 of EpiPen 2-Pak. It had cost $100 in 2009. “As a mother I can assure you that the last thing we could ever want is no one to have their EpiPen due to price”.
The move comes one day after Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonTrump aide on immigration plan: No amnesty, no sanctuary cities EpiPen maker lowers price after uproar Chelsea Clinton to stay on family foundation board MORE denounced the company for hiking the cost of EpiPens 400 percent in recent years. “All involved must also take steps to help meaningfully address the USA health care crisis”, she said, “and we are committed to do our part to drive change in collaboration with policymakers, payors, patients and health care professionals”. The company said a family of four with income up to $97,200 won’t pay out of pocket.
The drugmaker also said that it would expand the group of patients eligible for financial assistance.
The company did not mention the public criticism from politicians and did not immediately respond to CNNMoney. That effectively cuts the price of the $500 to $600 device in half, the company said in a Thursday statement.
Clinton’s comments came after a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for investigations into the price increase of EpiPens, which are preloaded injections of epinephrine (adrenaline) that people use if they are having a unsafe allergic reaction that could result in death, if untreated.
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The pen provides epinephrine, a hormone also known as adrenaline, which can help relax muscles in the airwaves in the midst of a severe allergic reaction.
