KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, says the U.S. House is investigating an agency that works with the Food and Drug Administration over decisions that may have allowed Mylan to dramatically increase the price of its EpiPens.
Upton said a reclassification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opened the door for the drugmaker to increase the price of its life-saving epinephrine injectors, which are used during instances of severe allergic reactions, from $100 to 2007 to $600 today.
“They actually labeled this incorrectly, in terms of generic verses brand-name drugs,” Upton said. “We’ve got a major letter going out, I think it’ll be bipartisan, asking why they’ve done that.”
Last month, Democrat Paul Clements, the Western University University professor challenging for Upton’s 6th District seat, claimed the committee Upton chairs has killed measures that would have reduced drug prices.
Clements also claims Upton has taken over $1.2 million in drug company contributions.
