On Aug. 22, Senator Chuck Grassley requested an explanation on a steep price increase from Mylan, the manufacturer of the EpiPen, which is used for the emergency treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions. In his request, Grassley asked for a response by today (Tuesday). Mylan has asked for and received an extension on that reply to Thursday, Sept. 8. Grassley responded by saying, “Iowa parents asked me to get involved, and since I have got involved, 465 more Iowans have contacted me to express interest in what the company says.” He added there is also a strong taxpayer interest in seeing how much Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are paying for EpiPens. In addition to the letter to manufacturer, Grassley and four other senators sent a request to the Food and Drug Administration seeking details on whether alternatives to the EpiPen are in the works. Since the request for information, Mylan has announced expanded patient assistance programs and the intentions of developing a generic version of the product.
