On The Rise: EpiPen Prices

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By Nicole Joachim, Staff Writer

Within the past ten years, the price of the EpiPen has escalated by almost six hundred percent, which was stated in a court hearing between the CEO of Mylan and Congress. The price has skyrocketed from $100 in 2007 to $600 for a pack of two.

Mylan Inc. profits about $100 for every EpiPen sold, benefiting from the money of those with allergies. Congress argued that it is immoral to make a profit from a treatment that people need to survive.

USA Today wrote in an article addressing the issue that “Mylan had the second-highest executive compensation in the entire drug industry, according to the Wall Street Journal.” However, the CEO of Mylan, Heather Bresch, believes that the price change is completely fair; the product generates 10% of their revenue.

However, the increase in price has no pharmaceutical motivation. EpiPens have not been changed or modified in any major way that would require a higher price. The only thing that this change in price has accomplished is rendering families and children panicked because they can no longer afford EpiPens, a lie saving medicine that some people may need.

“It’s terrible to think that I will have to spend so much money on a product that could save my life,” says Ardita Nasufi, a senior at WHHS.

Currently, EpiPens have a shelf life of about 18 months after the date it was manufactured.

However, a longer lasting EpiPen that would expire in 24 months is being designed by Mylan, and is currently going through the FDA for review. Also, a new EpiPen created by a different company, Teva, is being priced at 300, but the date of production is left unknown.