Mylan CEO Heather Bresch spoke with "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell in her first interview since testifying before Congress on the high price of EpiPens, reports CBS News.
Here are five sound bites from the interview.
1. On the backlash surrounding Mylan's EpiPen price hikes: "Let's just say I think [there was] a lot of misinformation and people had no idea… [They're] very uninformed about who Mylan is, the role we play in healthcare — one out of every 13 prescriptions [is from Mylan]. We're in everybody's medicine cabinet."
2. On the reason for the price hikes: "We realized there was an unmet need … And so we made a conscious decision [to] put a business plan together to invest, to build public awareness and access [to EpiPens]," said Ms. Bresch. "That price went up because we were making [an] investment … But then you also invest in the supply chain, to make sure that, you know, that employers, that employees, that everyone has access to have [AC1]our medicine. Last year, 90 percent of EpiPen patients paid less than $50 for EpiPen."
3. One drug companies facing criticism for high drug prices: "I get the outrage, because it is so complicated and so complex. And the only face that you see on that medicine is the pharmaceutical manufacturer," Ms. Bresch said. "Where in reality…there's at least five entities touching that product."
4. On President Trump demanding change from the pharmaceutical industry to lower drug prices: "And I couldn't agree with him more. And I'm looking forward to it," Ms. Bresch said. "I think if we've ever had a moment in time, or administration that is willing to be disruptive … I think President Trump has shown that he is willing to make tough decisions, hard decisions, but right decisions."
5. On allowing CMS to negotiate drug prices: "I don't know that that's the answer. What I would support is that we look holistically at how pharmaceutical pricing is done today, and what is the best way to make it market-driven and give transparency to the patient walking up to that counter, [so] that they know what they're buying."
To view the full interview, which takes place inside Mylan's 1-million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Morgantown, W. Va., click here.
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