Mylan Boosts Price Assistance for EpiPen Amid Backlash
August 25 2016 - 8:30AM
Dow Jones News
Mylan NV responded Thursday to backlash over price increases for
its EpiPen emergency allergy treatment by promising to reduce the
costs that some patients pay, though the drugmaker stopped short of
saying it would roll back prices or limit future increases.
EpiPen is a lifesaving treatment for millions whose allergies
can send them into severe shock, including many schoolchildren who
are advised to keep an injector handy at all times. A pack of two
lists for $608.61, up 548% since Mylan began selling the drug in
late 2007, according to Truven Health Analytics.
After widespread criticism recently, Mylan said Thursday that it
was "doubling eligibility" for its EpiPen patient assistance
program to 400% of the poverty level, saying that a family of four
making $97,200 would now pay nothing out of pocket for a
prescription.
It also said it would expand its savings card that currently
covers copays by up to $100, which would put its maximum at $300.
That means patients with commercial insurance could have their
out-of-pocket expenses reduced. According to Mylan's website, the
current savings card cannot be used by those who are uninsured or
who use government-funded insurance such as Medicare or
Medicaid.
Both Democrats and Republicans have leveled criticisms against
the increases and some have called for investigations. Among those
joining in Wednesday were Democratic presidential candidate Hillary
Clinton and the top Republican and top Democrat on the Senate
Special Committee on Aging. Separately, the American Medical
Association called on Mylan to limit the "exorbitant costs" of the
drug.
"We recognize the significant burden on patients from continued,
rising insurance premiums and being forced increasingly to pay the
full list price for medicines at the pharmacy counter," Chief
Executive Heather Bresch said. "However, price is only one part of
the problem that we are addressing with today's actions."
Mylan blamed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also
known as Obamacare, for more patients facing higher drug costs as
they have enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans or are
uninsured.
Write to Austen Hufford at austen.hufford@wsj.com and Jonathan
D. Rockoff at Jonathan.Rockoff@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 25, 2016 08:15 ET (12:15 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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