Mylan sales and marketing update

Mylan said in several weeks it will launch a generic version of its EpiPen at a list price of $300 for a two-pack carton, which it said is a discount of more than 50% to the list price of branded EpiPen. The company also announced that it would increase the value of a savings card that reduces out-of-pocket costs for EpiPen consumers to $300 from $100 and would double eligibility for its patient assistance program to 400% of the federal poverty level. Mylan has not changed the branded EpiPen prices it charges to Medicare or private payers. The moves are the latest by Mylan in the face of mounting criticism, including from a handful of U.S. Senators, CMS Administrator Hillary Clinton and acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt, for its price increases for the epinephrine auto-injector to treat severe acute allergic reactions.

On Aug. 20, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing to investigate EpiPen’s price and alleged Mylan is “exploiting a monopoly market advantage” due to reduced competition. Klobuchar also asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate EpiPen’s price increase. In letters to Mylan on Aug. 22, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) expressed concern that recent increases in EpiPen’s price could limit patients’ access to the epinephrine auto-injector to treat severe acute allergic reactions. The lawmakers requested information about access programs, pricing and advertising cost transparency, and changes Mylan has made in the product since acquiring it in 2007. Klobuchar said the price of an EpiPen two-pack has risen to $500 or more, from $100 in 2009. Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Klobuchar and Blumenthal serve on its antitrust subcommittee, and Klobuchar is the subcommittee’s ranking member. On Aug. 22, Mylan responded that as more consumers are enrolled in high deductible health plans, they are “bearing more of the cost” of therapies. ...