Senator: EpiPen Generic Announcement “Raises As Many Questions As Solutions”

This morning, drug company Mylan announced that it will soon introduce a lower-cost (but still not cheap) generic version of its popular EpiPen emergency allergy treatment. In response, one senator who has been critical of Mylan’s actions says more must be done to make the life-saving drug available.

“Myl‎an may appear to be moving in the right direction, but its announcement raises as many questions as solutions,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) about today’s news, “including why the price is still astronomically high, and whether its action is a preemptive strike against a competing generic.”

Blumenthal, one of five U.S. senators to write the company last week, demanding a price reduction on EpiPen, says that Mylan should still have to face an investigation over antitrust concerns about its practices, and that he will continue to push for Senate hearings and possible subpoenas on the matter.

“Mylan must be held accountable to lower prices now, stop future price increases, and answer for any past illegal misconduct,” said the senator. “A system in which public outrage is required to address these kind of unjust situations is not efficient. When it comes to affording life-saving products for their families, consumers should not have to depend on the benevolence of monopolists.”