August 25, 2016--On Monday, Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote to
the manufacturer of the EpiPen, used for emergency treatment for
life-threatening allergic reactions, to explain a steep price increase in the
product in recent years.
Grassley’s letter came after Iowans expressed concern to him
about the prices.
On Wednesday, Grassley led a letter from
five senators to the Food and Drug Administration, seeking details on whether
alternatives to the EpiPen are in the works.
Grassley made the following comment on the announcement today
from the EpiPen maker, Mylan pharmaceuticals, that it will expand patient
assistance programs for the product.
“The announcement today doesn’t appear to change the product
price. The price is what Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies
pay. It’s what patients who don’t get assistance cards pay. And
when drug companies offer patient assistance cards, it’s usually not clear how
many patients benefit. Regardless of today’s announcement, I look forward
to a written response, as specifically requested in my Monday letter, to my
questions on the EpiPen cost increases.”
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