Following scrutiny Mylan has faced in recent weeks over the high cost of its EpiPen auto-injectors, U.S. Sens.
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What’s more, the $300 price for a two-pack of the generic “is still three times higher than the cost of the branded EpiPen in 2007”, the letter said.
Some analysts have estimated that the tiny amount of epinephrine in an EpiPen is worth barely $1, and the auto-injectors might cost as little as $5.
Of course, that still did not do much to quell the vocal distaste.
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch maintains that her company only receives about $274 of the $608. And the company says that the generic version will be classified in such a way that pharmacists can substitute the chemically identical version for the name brand without having to consult the prescribing physician.
Dr. Philip Gallagher said this is because Mylan can raise the price and there’s no good alternative. That assistance will also be offered to people getting Mylan’s generic EpiPens, but the $300 copay cards will only work with brand-name EpiPens.
Mylan has defended EpiPen’s high price, saying it spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the product since acquiring it in 2007.
Hernandez is introducing a resolution that excoriates the anti-allergy device’s manufacturer, Mylan, joining a chorus of federal lawmakers who have accused the company of price-gouging.
“By going directly to generic you cut all that out”, Manchin said. “The launch of a generic EpiPen, which follows the steps we took last week on the brand to immediately reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs, will offer a long-term solution to further reduce costs and ease the burden and complexity of the process on the patient”.
It has said it recoups less than half the list price as pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), which often require discounted prices or rebates from drugmakers, are involved, along with insurers and others.
Another issue the senators are concerned about is whether Mylan will extend its patient assistance programs to include the authorized generic versions as well, or if not, how the company plans to ensure patient access to the generic. In October, Sanofi voluntarily recalled its Auvi-Q injector over concerns about suspected malfunctions in the US and Canada.
Local families are among those across the nation concerned with the price surge of the live-saving drug, EpiPen.
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Mylan shares closed up 0.4 percent at $43.22 on the Nasdaq, amid a moderate upturn for the broader stock market.
