Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued a statement Thursday regarding the high cost of EpiPens, reported ABC News. His daughter, Heather Bresch, is CEO of Mylan, the company behind the epinephrine injection.
Amsterdam-based Mylan is facing large criticism for the soaring price of EpiPens, which has increased 400 percent since 2007. Prior to his statement, Sen. Manchin refrained from joining his congressional peers in scrutinizing the drug company's pricing practices.
"I am aware of the questions my colleagues and many parents are asking, and frankly, I share their concerns about the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs," said Sen. Manchin in a statement. "Today I heard Mylan's initial response, and I am sure Mylan will have a more comprehensive and formal response to those questions."
On Thursday, Mylan responded to public scrutiny by vowing to expand access and increase benefits for its discount programs to help consumers pay less for EpiPens. While the drugmaker addressed immediate consumer costs, it did not say when it would lower list prices or limit future price increases.
"I look forward to reviewing their response in detail and working with my colleagues and all interested parties to lower the price of prescription drugs and to continue to improve our healthcare system," said Sen. Manchin.
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