By Greg Halbleib
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D, Ill.) says if a company makes a life-saving drug, it should be regulated to prevent large price hikes because of little or no competition.
Durbin pointed to the makers of the EpiPen, whose CEO appeared yesterday before a House committee to explain a large boost in its price.
“Mylan has abused its right to make and sell this drug, this life-or-death drug for kids primarily,” Durbin told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “It’s a disgrace that Congress has not enacted laws and the president hasn’t signed them to give us some voice when it comes to overcharging for pharmaceuticals. They can just charge whatever they want, and if it’s a life-or-death drug, people will be forced to buy it or face the consequences. That is awful.”
Durbin said other countries handle the situation much better.
“Why do drugs cost a fraction of the price in Canada as they do in the United States?” Durbin wondered. “Because the Canadian government stands up for its citizens and says we’re not going to let these pharmaceutical companies run away with their pricing of exactly the same drugs. We need to do the same thing.”
Durbin admits Mylan didn’t do anything illegal, but he says that’s why additional regulations are needed.
PODCAST: Listen here to Scott Laughlin’s interview with Durbin.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
