Monday, Mylan began offering a generic version of the EpiPen for half the list price of the brand-name treatment.
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“This is welcomed news and I think now patients are going to be able to afford it”. People usually keep a number of EpiPens handy at home, school or work.
Of course, Mylan, which owns the rights to market EpiPens, says it’s not price gouging with a product that’s been around since 1986.
Thankfully, he hasn’t had to use his EpiPen on himself, but he does have to replace his two-pack when it expires every year. “Our decision to launch a generic alternative to EpiPen is an extraordinary commercial response”.
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday urged Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) to call a hearing on the cost of EpiPens, which has risen some 400 percent over the last few years. It will continue to market and distribute a branded EpiPen. Often families have to buy multiple packs; one for the auto, home and school.
“We had to decide whether we are going to pay our mortgage or vehicle note”, said Germaine Duncan. The generic version is scheduled to come out in the next couple weeks.
Mylan has pointed the finger at insurers for passing an increasing share of drug costs to policy holders. The price is still high enough to generate lots of money.
It said activists would deliver petitions from more than 600,000 consumers and allergy sufferers to Mylan’s headquarters in Pennsylvania’s Canonsburg tomorrow, demanding further price cuts.
How much people pay for EpiPens varies with insurance coverage. It also reduced the out-of-pocket costs of EpiPen for some patients last week.
After public outrage, including a very public tongue lashing from Hillary Clinton, Mylan said it would provide instant savings cards worth $300 to patients who have to pay for full price for the drug out of pocket.
“It’s the same medication in both the generic and the EpiPen it’s the device that’s different”.
A generic competitor was expected in 2015 but has been delayed.
On Monday, Mylan announced it will offer a generic version that will sell for about $300.
There is also little competition, with the only rival product being Adrenaclick, which carries a list price of $461. But that could change.
The authorised generic will be identical to the branded product, including device functionality and drug formulation.
Among those joining Warren and Markey in signing the letter included: U.S. Sens.
“Since Mylan acquired EpiPen in 2007, the price has increased by an astonishing 480 percent”, Collins said.
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It has also asked company officials to appear for a private briefing by September 6 – just six days before the paperwork is due.
