US: NY Attorney General launches antitrust investigation into the maker of EpiPen

Mylan Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces EpiPen, is facing scrutiny over its sales contracts with New York school districts.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Tuesday his office has launched an antitrust investigation into Mylan. A preliminary review conducted by Schneiderman’s staff found that the company may have included anti-competitive terms into EpiPen sales contracts with several schools throughout the state.

“No child’s life should be put at risk because a parent, school or health care provider cannot afford a simple, life-saving device because of a drug maker’s anti-competitive practices,” Schneiderman said in a statement.

“If Mylan engaged in anti-competitive business practices, or violated antitrust laws with the intent and effect of limiting lower cost competition, we will hold them accountable. Allergy sufferers have enough concerns to worry about — the availability of life-saving medical treatment should not be one of them. I will bring the full resources of my office to this critical investigation.”

EpiPen is the leading epinephrine autoinjector, which is used to treat someone who experiences a severe allergic reaction. Last month in Auburn, police officers saved a man who had such a reaction after being stung by a bee.

Mylan has drawn criticism recently after it was revealed that the company has raised the price of the EpiPen — the drug is typically sold in a two pack — from $100 in 2007 to $608 today.

In an attempt to address the controversy, Mylan announced that it would sell a generic EpiPen two pack for $300.

Full Content: The Citizen

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