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N.Y. state probing maker of EpiPens

Deals with schools may have barred buying alternatives

By MICHAEL VIRTANEN, Associated Press
Published: September 6, 2016, 9:45pm

ALBANY, N.Y. — The state attorney general’s office is investigating whether Mylan Pharmaceuticals unfairly limited competition for its emergency allergy treatment EpiPen, which has been criticized for steep price increases.

A preliminary review showed the company “may have inserted potentially anticompetitive terms” into sales contracts with many school systems, Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Tuesday.

Subpoenas for company information were issued last week.

EpiPens are used in emergencies to treat severe allergic reactions to insect bites and foods including nuts that can lead to anaphylactic shock. They are auto-injectors, or spring-loaded syringes that provide single doses of the drug epinephrine, and can be administered by patients themselves or by untrained people.

The price rose more than 500 percent since 2007, to $608 for a two-pack. The drugmaker has announced it will launch a generic version at $300 in the next few weeks.

Canonsburg, Pa.-based Mylan N.V. said Tuesday that more than 700,000 free EpiPens have been distributed to 65,000 schools and it dropped a previous purchase restriction for schools that wanted more at discounts.

“Mylan has spent billions of dollars making EpiPen a household name synonymous with epinephrine, but there are lesser-known products such as generic Adrenaclick, which can be purchased for approximately $140 for a two-pack,” said Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon, a Long Island Republican.

Democratic Missouri U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said she expects Congress to hold hearings on EpiPen pricing.

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