On Thursday, August 25, 2016, Mylan reported that they are taking immediate action to lower the out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients when purchasing their EpiPen products.
Mylan has outlined steps toward accomplishing this goal. Savings cards will be available to eligible patients, which would cover up to $300 of the cost of a pack containing 2 EpiPens. It was only recently that the company had only been offering a $100 savings for the same pack.
In addition, Mylan has described their intention to implement an assistance program to increase the number of eligible patients who receive these savings cards. Patients who have incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level (previously 200%) and also lack insurance coverage for drugs will be able to receive the products at no cost.
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Lastly, Mylan is now allowing patients to purchase EpiPen products directly from the manufacturer, which should help further decrease the financial burden for these patients.
Since 2007, Mylan has steadily increased the cost of their EpiPen products by approximately 15% every year. Consequently, the price of a pack of 2 EpiPens has increased from approximately $100 to approximately $600.
Using the $300 savings cards will be particularly beneficial for patients who have high-deductible health plans and are oftentimes required to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs, Mylan expressed.
In a recent statement by Mylan CEO Heather Bresch, “We have been a long-term, committed partner to the allergy community and are taking immediate action to help ensure that everyone who needs an EpiPen® Auto-Injector gets one. We recognize the significant burden on patients from continued, rising insurance premiums and being forced increasingly to pay the full list price for medicines at the pharmacy counter. Patients deserve increased price transparency and affordable care, particularly as the system shifts significant costs to them.”
References
Mylan to lower EpiPen cost for some patients. The New York Times website. Updated August 25, 2016. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/business/epipen-mylan-price.html?_r=0. Accessed August 25, 2016.
Mylan taking immediate action to further enhance access to EpiPen® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector. Mylan Newsroom website. Updated August 25, 2016. Available at: http://newsroom.mylan.com/2016-08-25-Mylan-Taking-Immediate-Action-to-Further-Enhance-Access-to-EpiPen-Epinephrine-Injection-USP-Auto-Injector. Accessed August 25, 2016.
