20 Democratic senators blast steep price hike for EpiPens
WASHINGTON — In a sign of growing concern in Congress, 20 Democratic senators are demanding answers about steep price hikes for the life-saving EpiPen injector device.
The senators said in a letter Tuesday that price hikes of more than 500 per cent have jeopardized access to emergency allergy shots for many Americans. The letter was addressed to Heather Bresch, CEO of the pharmaceutical company that makes the devices, Mylan N.V.
Bresch is the daughter of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Manchin did not sign the letter.
Mylan has responded to the public outcry over the price hikes by expanding programs to make EpiPens more affordable and promising a cheaper, generic version. But Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other senators said the generic device still costs $300, three times more than the branded EpiPen did in 2007.