CVS has announced the drug store chain will sell a generic competitor to Mylan Pharmaceutical’s EpiPen at a sixth of the price. Thursday’s announcement comes just months after Mylan representatives appeared before Congressman Scott DesJarlais on the House Oversight Committee to explain soaring costs for the popular allergy medication.
After Mylan acquired rights to the drug, costs soared by 500 percent, preventing budget-strapped schools and families from administering the emergency medication. “As both a physician and Representative for Tennessee families at risk, I’m glad to see Congressional oversight has paid off, positively impacting many Americans’ health and peace of mind. That this life-saving drug is now more widely available is a testament to what public pressure can achieve,” said Rep. DesJarlais.
Last September, the physician questioned whether Mylan was making a good faith effort to respond to public outcry over possible price-gouging.
Rep. DesJarlais is a member of the GOP Doctors Caucus. “I know the uphill battle patients face in our health care system. The example of CVS and Mylan points us in the right direction, and we have a lot more work to do to increase generic drug choices in the marketplace,” he said.