U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) called on EpiPen manufacturer Mylan on Thursday to explain steep price increases for the life-saving devices in recent years.
Grassley also led a letter to the FDA that was signed by five senators that sought information about alternatives to the EpiPen that are in development to counteract allergic reactions.
After Mylan pharmaceuticals announced on Thursday that it would expand the product’s patient assistance card programs, Grassley argued that it is not clear how many patients have access to such cards.
“The announcement today doesn’t appear to change the product price,” Grassley said. “The price is what Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies pay. It’s what patients who don’t get assistance cards pay. And when drug companies offer patient assistance cards, it’s usually not clear how many patients benefit. Regardless of (Thursday’s) announcement, I look forward to a written response, as specifically requested in my Monday letter, to my questions on the EpiPen cost increases.”
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), the chairwoman of the Senate Aging Committee, said that patient assistance programs don’t help people participating in government healthcare programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid and Medicare.
“Since Mylan acquired EpiPen in 2007, the price has increased by an astonishing 480 percent,” Collins said. “This drastic increase could pose a serious impediment to patient access, particularly for our seniors. A host of questions and concerns remain. I expect to receive answers, along with pertinent information and analysis regarding Mylan’s pricing decisions, through an upcoming briefing that our committee has asked Mylan to provide.”