Mylan and Epipen$ and PROFIT

[Marthe48]

Epipens shouldn't cost $608.00 for 2. Mylan profited $1.2 BILLION in one year from Epipens alone. Should parents have to choose between hoping their kids don't get exposed to a life-threatening allergen and going bankrupt? Mylan won't sell individual pens. The Epipen has a shelf-life of 12-18 months, so families are paying over $600.00 for something they probably won't use, but have to have, just in case. My daughter had to buy Epipens in January, and the price has gone up $100.00 since then. For no reason except they can. Just ridiculous.

[yeoman6987]

1. That seems pricy

However, I wonder how much insurance companies including Obamacare, Medicare and Medicaid really reimburse the company. It's the same reason you see a two day stay at the hospital for 70K. The insurances pay maybe 15k. But the insurance companies want to ensure they get the 15K so they increase the amount to ensure they get that.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. People on high deductible plans don't get reimbursed

until the deductible is met. Why this has been in the news so much. Pharma Bro jacked up the price on an HIV/Malaria drug but these guys are messing with pens that kids need to refill annually. That gives me hope, in my anti-Capitalist cynical way... Even Pharma Bro himself was in the news over the weekend calling these guys "Jackals" for the price increase.

Add to that the FDA recommendation that anyone with allergies carries 2 (just in case) and they won't even sell singles any more. With their only competitor being out, whats to stop them?

My pharmacy wanted $389. Once I meet my deductible, I'll get the refill - for $40. Until then, its off to the ER if I get stung.

[Warpy]

2. Since their closest competitor has been knocked out by the FDA

they have a monopoly on emergency epinephrine. Once any capitalist achieves a monopoly, the price will go up to the stratosphere.

Congress needs to act. Will they? Not this Clown Congress. Republicans get bought and stay bought.