While Mylan CEO Heather Bresch has faced immense backlash for the rising cost of EpiPens and her correspondingly high salary, her father, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is defending his daughter.
Here are five quotes Mr. Manchin said during an interview outside the Capitol Tuesday regarding his daughter, the controversy surrounding Mylan and high prescription drug prices, according to Bloomberg.
- Sen. Manchin admitted he's purposely kept his distance from the controversy and his daughter's role as Mylan's CEO. "We make a point ever since I've been in this position, and when I was governor, we made a point, we just didn't get involved. It's so convoluted. I don't understand," he said. "To get into something you don't understand and your daughter being in this type of industry it was best I stayed away."
- While he avoids commenting on Ms. Bresch's role as CEO, Mr. Manchin did attest to his daughter's quality of character and generosity. "My daughter is my daughter with unconditional love and she's the most amazing person that I know of as far as not only being accomplished, but just, she's so compassionate and generous in how she's always lived her life," he said.
- Sen. Manchin was adamant his daughter would provide EpiPens to those in need of the medication. "The only thing I know about from my daughter is if someone got a hold of the company and says 'we can’t afford 'em, we need one,' she would give them one. That's all. I know that. I know her well enough to know that would happen," he said.
- Rather than commenting directly on Canonsburg, Pa.-based Mylan's pricing practices, Sen. Manchin addressed the larger issue of high drug costs. "They are all too expensive," he said. "So if there is a way to find out that we can deliver it at a better, more economical price, and still have the innovative and creative juices flowing I guess that makes all these things happen, you've got to find the balance somewhere."
- When asked if he's worried his familial involvement in the EpiPen controversy will be used against him when he runs for reelection in 2018, Sen. Manchin said, "If they attack me because I love my daughter, that's not a big price to pay."
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