Cash Price of Epipen ... INSANITY!!!!!

[Ciel]

One of my favourite podcasts, Sawbones, did an episode about the EpiPen. It was posted 31/08/2016, currently still at the top of the page. It's about the history of EpiPen/Epinephrine and Anaphylaxis, and talks about the current price issue for the last 15 min. She states that the annual profit the EpiPen brings in for Mylan is 1.1 billion dollars! She also says that 85% of the research & development costs are covered by taxes. (she doesn't state the sources in the podcast).

From Allergic Living:

Senators Press Mylan for Answers on EpiPen Price Hikes

Inside the EpiPen Price Backlash


I am so relieved to live in Canada where we have laws to prevent this sort of unconscionable gouging.

[GoingNuts]

New York State's Attorney General has launched an investigation into Mylan:

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/267036/schneiderman-announces-probe-into-epipen-price-hike/

[Macabre]

In the interest of public access to critical information here is a partial link to Mylan's citizen petition to block a generic from market.  Their arguement goes something like, "Schools are trained to use branded EpiPens so this generic will dangerous because it's slightly different to use."

http://pharmamedtechbi.com/~/media/Supporting%20Documents/The%20Pink%20Sheet%20DAILY/2015/January/Citizen_Petition_Mylan_Specialty_epinephrine%20autoinjector%20ANDA.pdf

[hezzier]

DD came home from school with a picture of a sign posted somewhere at school talking about the increased price of epi pens and then gave the website address for the coupon.  I was on DS's school website and information about the coupon is also there. 

DD said a couple friends were talking about it during study hall because they have an english class assignment about it.

[name]

A good breakdown on antitrust, purchasing contracts, and schools.  Link must be copied and pasted in browser with complete address.

Mylan may have violated antitrust law in its EpiPen sales to schools, legal experts say

statnews.com/2016/08/25/mylan-antitrust-epipen-schools/

law.com/sites/almstaff/2016/09/06/ny-attorney-general-launches-antitrust-investigation-into-epipen-in-connection-with-school-sales-contracts/

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, last month called for a Federal Trade Commission investigation into whether Mylan engaged in any anti-competitive acts connected with the series of price increases that have brought attention to the EpiPen. In a letter to the FTC, she said the commission "should investigate whether Mylan Pharmaceuticals engaged in activity, such as using incentives or exclusionary contracts with insurers, distributors or pharmacies, to deny an alternative product access to the market."

An FTC spokeswoman said in August it would "carefully consider" Klobuchar's letter. A spokesman said Tuesday the FTC could not comment on investigations by other agencies, nor on whether the FTC is conducting an investigation. Klobuchar, along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, continued to pressure the FTC on Tuesday, urging the commission to issue a subpoena to Mylan to determine how the company gained its "monopoly position."

statnews.com/pharmalot/2016/09/02/scott-stringer-blasts-mylan-board/

[name]

Competitors we can watch.  Market entry is an important part of the long term solution for prevention of monopoly, choice.

@WindGapMedical
@AdrenaCard

I am aware Sanofi turned Auvi-q back over to kaleo pharm and their Evzio is going gangbusters.  That is precisely why I did not include them.  Evzio is their focus.

[Macabre]

Thanks, name!

[Macabre]

Well, FARE is no longer accepting donations from pharmaceutical companies.

This is the right thing to do. As a professional fundraiser, I know it's also difficult to say no to 6% of your revenue (especially mid-fiscal year) knowing you have to find it elsewhere. 

But it's the right thing to do.

http://www.foodallergy.org/press-room/fare-statements/090716#.V9FFMYY8KnP

[GoingNuts]

^^Was just coming on to post the same thing. 

[name]

video.foxbusiness.com/v/5116033769001/senate-panel-to-probe-epipen-pricing/?#sp=show-clips

[ajasfolks2]

http://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/constituents/Mylan%20Response%20to%20Sen%20Grassley%209%208%2016%20(002).pdf

[hezzier]

This is from the last article posted...

In the U.S. alone, Mylan sells 21 billion doses annually of 635 products,
at an average selling price of approximately $0.25 per dose across all of our specialty and generic
products, including the EpiPen Auto-Injector.

My first thought to this is then WHY are people paying $600 for a 2 pack?

Have to keep reading the article...

[Macabre]

EpiPens made the Lightning Round of Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me this week.

That's like the Big Time for me!

[GoingNuts]

^ 

[momma2boys]

I saw a 2 pack in our waiting bin as cash, waiting for someone's new insurance card...$753.00!!!!