KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Democratic Congressional candidate Paul Clements surfaced this week to criticize Republican opponent Fred Upton for decisions that allowed Mylan to raise the price on its EpiPens.
The cost of the devices, which can help end a dangerous allergic reaction, have gone up from $100 a dose a decade ago to $608 now. It reportedly only costs the company $3 per dose to produce the drug.
Clements claims the committee that Upton chairs has spiked several measures that would have reduced the cost of drugs. He points out that Upton has taken over $1.2 million in campaign contributions from drug companies.
Upton separately reacted to the EpiPen controversy by pointing to a 2013 bill that requires that schools have EpiPens. He said they are taking a hard look at the specifics behind higher drug prices and have pressed Mylan for concrete answers.
Republicans, however, blame the Affordable Care Act. The White House blames the company for jacking up the price.
The company blames a failed healthcare system and has announced it will be making it easier for indigent patients to get the drug for free.
The analysts say it’s the company’s largest profit center and they increased the price because it has a monopoly. The FDA has rejected a generic version and its only competition has been withdrawn from the market.
During that same period, the salary for the CEO of Mylan has increased from $2 million to $18 million annually.
