“We encourage all patients and families to thoroughly review and understand their healthcare insurance coverage”, the statement said.
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The EpiPen is a long, plastic tube that automatically injects a dose of epinephrine – or adrenaline – into a person’s thigh to stop an allergic reaction.
A life-saving drug for severe allergy sufferers is costing families in the Valley and across the country a lot more money. “And then, I saw a news article on Facebook about it”. Each pen is one time use and they are only good for one year before they need to be replaced.
The EpiPen is a huge moneymaker for Mylan.
In earlier investigations into drug prices, the chiefs of many companies have been grilled and lectured harshly by lawmakers. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Bernie Sanders I-Vt.
“Ensuring access to epinephrine – the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis – is a core part of our mission”, Mylan said in a press release this week.
Clinton on Wednesday called on Mylan to voluntarily cut EpiPen’s price.
Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, on Wednesday said the price increase is “outrageous” and called on Mylan to immediately reduce the price of EpiPens.
Since 2007, when Mylan Pharmaceuticals bought the EpiPen from Merck KGaA, the list price of a two-pack of the drug has gone up from $93.88 to $608.61 as of May 16, 2016 according to Truven Health Analytics.
EpiPens are used when those suffering severe allergies are stung by bees or accidentally ingest peanuts to ward off potentially deadly reactions. “It is the only producer of an auto-injector pen that makes this epinephrine available to school teachers and parents and others who do not have the training to do the other kinds of injections that can be done”.
Ms. Clinton’s statement touted her own plan to reduce drug costs, which includes the withdrawal of federal research subsidies for drug companies earning excess profits (as determined by a panel of industry experts). We are taking a hard look at the specifics behind this and have pressed Mylan for concrete answers. That is, until her husband changed jobs, and her $50 co-pay turned into a $440 outlay. While insurance often covers some of the cost, many people have to pay out of pocket for the devices, sometimes up to the full price. Her throat swelled when she walked in to the office kitchen as a coworker’s shrimp was heating in the office microwave, before it had even been taken from the oven.
The drug used to cost $100 five to seven years ago, but it has now jumped to $600.
Klobuchar said she’s always been pushing four separate bills with bipartisan support from Sens.
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But $500 for an item that needs frequent replacement is just not in her budget. I’ve never seen that happen. So instead she doesn’t cook shellfish, doesn’t let either of her children eat shellfish, and avoids any areas where it might be present, Barber said. She’s not alone. Several senators have been pressing Mylan over the price hikes.
