Instead, Mylan blames rising health care premiums and deductibles.
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The CNBC interview was part of a counteroffensive by Mylan.
Bresch did not directly answer questions about the more than 600 percent increase in her salary during the same time as the EpiPen cost increases. A two-dose package cost around $94 nine years ago.
Bersch acknowledged that high retail prices of EpiPens in the US effectively subsidize the cost of the devices when they are sold in Europe, at just $100 or $150. Bresch made $2.4 million in 2007 and now brings in $18.9 million.
On Wednesday, Blumenthal sent a letter to Mylan CEO Heather Bresch demanding to know why the price has spiked so drastically, and threatening to launch an investigation into potential antitrust violations and illegal trade practices. Martin Shkreli and executives from the company he used to lead, Turing Pharmaceuticals, and executives from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International were called before congressional committees this year to explain why they bought the rights to older drugs that lacked competition and raised the prices.
Also, in its statement, Mylan put much of the blame for the problem not on its price increases but on insurance companies for placing a higher burden on patients for out-of-pocket costs.
CNN reports the controversy started with a social media movement by concerned parents who launched an online petition urging Congress to “stop the EpiPen price gouging”. The EpiPen’s average wholesale price has risen 500 percent (not adjusting for inflation) since 2009, setting off widespread criticism. And because they expire quickly, the Faerbers have to restock every year.
In a statement issued Monday, Mylan said it has savings programs for patients and is also offering free EpiPens to schools. It amounts to the drug manufacturer, Mylan, taking advantage of consumers.
A drug company blasted for raising the price of a life-saving drug is responding to the outcry. The comments came as shares of leading policy benefit managers Express Scripts slumped 6 percent on Thursday.
The CEO for the company that makes the life-saving device said it’s expanding existing programs for patients who are facing higher out of pocket costs.
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As it turns out, Sarah Jessica Parker, a spokesperson for the drug in the past, agrees with those complaints and is imploring drug company to do something about it.
