Facing large scrutiny for the high price of its EpiPen medication, Mylan promised Thursday to lower the cost patients must pay for the life-saving injection, reported The Wall Street Journal.
A pack of two EpiPens has a list price of $608.61, marking a 548 percent increase since Mylan acquired the drug in 2007, according to Truven Health Analytics.
The Canonsburg, Pa.-based drugmaker plans to expand access and increase benefits for its discount programs to help consumers pay less for EpiPens. Yet these changes will not affect insurers and employers who will be forced to keep paying high prices for the drug — although they can often negotiate better deals than the list price.
Mylan is "doubling eligibility" for its EpiPen patient assistance program, which subsidizes the medication's cost for low-income users. Now, 400 percent of the poverty level can take advantage of the program, meaning a family of four making $97,200 could pay no out of pocket costs to fill the prescription.
The company will also expand its savings card to cover copays of up to $300, which originally covered costs up to $100. However, the savings card cannot be used by uninsured individuals or Medicare and Medicaid recipients, according to company's website.
While Mylan addressed immediate consumer costs, the drugmaker did not say when it would lower list prices or limit future price increases.
More articles on drug costs:
Mylan price hikes affect more than just EpiPens — here are 4 other medications with soaring costs
As CEO of Mylan, senator's daughter faces brunt of EpiPen backlash
EpiPen isn't the only drug with a price hike: Insulin prices skyrocket