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Politics and Activism

3 Things You Need to Know About EpiPen

The same drug that cost $100 in 2008, is now being charged for a whopping $600 today...

Caitlin Pennell
Sep 02, 2016
Storytellers of New Jersey
65
3 Things You Need to Know About EpiPen
nbcnews

EpiPen is an injection that millions of people carry around everyday, but hopefully do not have to use. This life-saving drug is administered to people in an emergency to treat them for allergic reactions ranging from food to bug bites and stings. While this drug is easily obtained to those who need it, the price increase over the last several years has led to many people having difficulties with purchasing their EpiPen. This astronomical increase in price has many people questioning the CEO of EpiPen; why is the EpiPen hundreds of dollars, when in reality it only costs a couple dollars to make?

Here are a few things you need to know about Mylan, the company that manufactures EpiPen, and CEO Heather Bresch…

1. The EpiPen price has increased 400% over 8 years

The same drug that cost $100 in 2008, is now being charged for a whopping $600 today.

2. Heather Bresch is daughter of Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia.

Other Democrats are rallying against Mylan, calling for the company to reduce the price of the drug. One Senator, Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, has a daughter who relies on the EpiPen, and called for the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the matters of the EpiPen price. Even Hillary Clinton and the AMA have spoken out against the radical costs of the EpiPen.

3. Heather Bresch made $19 million last year

...compared to just under $3 million in 2007. Also, EpiPen is not the company's only product that has seen a price hike. 7 other products have seen a 100% price increase, with others at an even higher swell.

For many people living with allergies, the EpiPen is the difference between life or death. As crazy as this story and these prices sound, EpiPen is not the only drug that has seen increases which makes it more inconvenient for patients to get and puts more money into the pockets of pharmaceutical companies.

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