Mylan’s Marketing Of EpiPens To Schools Now Part Of Growing Price Controversy
Stat reports that some legal analysts say that Mylan's provision of its emergency allergy treatment to schools at a discounted price may have been an antitrust violation. Meanwhile, senators who backed legislation encouraged schools to stock the EpiPen are now among those calling for an investigation of the product's price hike.
Stat:
Mylan May Have Violated Antitrust Law In Its EpiPen Sales To Schools
Schools across the country keep EpiPens in their nurses’ offices in case a student has a severe allergic reaction. For years, Mylan Pharmaceuticals has been selling the devices to schools at a discounted price, giving them a break from rising costs. But the program also prohibited schools from buying competitors’ devices — a provision that experts say may have violated antitrust law. (Swetlitz and Silverman, 8/25)
The CT Mirror:
Blumenthal, Others Who Helped Sales Of EpiPen, Want Probe Of Price Hikes
Like other lawmakers now calling for an investigation of the massive hikes in the price of EpiPens, Sen. Richard Blumenthal backed legislation that encouraged schools to stock the auto-injector that delivers a drug that counters the effects of a potentially fatal allergic reaction. In 2013, Blumenthal was an original co-sponsor of a bill – which became law – that awards grants to states that require their public elementary and secondary schools to maintain a supply of emergency epinephrine, the drug delivered by EpiPens. (Radelat and Constable, 8/24)
In related news --
Stat:
Senators Demand Face-To-Face Meeting With EpiPen Maker
File this under “Another day, another lawmaker is leaning on Mylan Laboratories.” The US senators who head the Special Committee on Aging are the latest politicians to demand the company explain the pricing behind its EpiPen injector for allergic reactions. And not only does the committee want Mylan to provide information reviewed by its board of directors, the committee also asked the drug maker to schedule a face-to-face briefing over the next two weeks. (Silverman, 8/24)
