EpiPen-Maker’s CEO To Face Congressional Fire At Hearing On Price Gouging
Chief Executive Heather Bresch will testify in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next week. Meanwhile, senators will introduce a bill requiring drugmakers to give a 30-day notice and justification of any prescription drug price increase of more than 10 percent. And The Associated Press examines pharmaceutical discount cards.
The Wall Street Journal:
EpiPen Maker Executive To Testify At House Hearing
Lawmakers have summoned the top executive from EpiPen maker Mylan NV to Washington for a hearing next week to explain substantial price increases for the emergency allergy treatment that have generated widespread consumer outrage. The company confirmed Wednesday that Chief Executive Heather Bresch will come to Capitol Hill Sept. 21 to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in a hearing likely to feature intense questioning about Mylan’s pricing strategy. (Radnofsky, 9/14)
USA Today:
Senators Move To Force Drug Makers To Justify Big Price Hikes
A bipartisan group of Senate and House members plan to introduce a bill Thursday that would force drugmakers to tell the Department of Health and Human Services why any price hike of more than 10% is justified at least a month before the increase. Companies would have to disclose spending on research and development, manufacturing, marketing and advertising spending on the drug, as well as profit information. (O'Donnell, 9/14)
The Associated Press:
The Pluses And Minuses Of Drugmakers' Discount Cards
Facing public furor for the price of its emergency allergy shot EpiPen, Mylan Pharmaceuticals quickly pointed to a familiar industry solution: copay discount cards. Copay coupons or cards have become a ubiquitous part of the pharmaceutical business, offered through websites, mobile apps and doctor's offices. Patient advocates say they can bring down out-of-pocket expenses for patients who face high copays and deductibles. Mylan last month boosted its discount cards to cover $300 of insured patients' copay costs, up from $100. (Perrone, 9/14)