Mylan Orchestrating Movement To Address Patient Price Concerns But Keep Prices High

One solution to the EpiPen controversy, some advocates say, is classifying it as preventive care so consumers wouldn't have to pay anything for the life-saving drug. But while the suggestions seems to favor consumers, a New York Times investigation finds Mylan is pulling the strings.

Against a growing outcry over the surging price of EpiPens, a chorus of prominent voices has emerged with a smart-sounding solution: Add the EpiPen, the lifesaving allergy treatment, to a federal list of preventive medical services, a move that would eliminate the out-of-pocket costs of the product for millions of families — and mute the protests. ... A point not mentioned by these advocates is that a big potential beneficiary of the campaign is Mylan, the pharmaceutical giant behind EpiPens. The company would be able to continue charging high prices for the product without patients complaining about the cost. (Lipton and Abrams, 9/16)

Mylan, the maker of EpiPens, an injection device for severe allergy attacks, is trying to persuade the United States Preventive Services Task Force to add the product to the group’s list of preventive medical services. That could make EpiPens available to patients with no insurance co-pay. It could also benefit the company by allowing it to raise prices on the product while limiting complaints from the public. The higher prices would be pushed to the government, insurers or employers. (Abrams, 9/16)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

�鶹Ů��

Trump 2.0

Public Health

Audio Reports

Special Reports

More Topics