Mylan NV announced the launch of the authorized generic for EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) auto-injector at a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $300 per epinephrine injection, USP two-pack, which is more than 50% lower than the WAC of EpiPen 2-Pak auto-injectors. The authorized generic, which will reach pharmacies starting next week, has the same drug formulation and device functionality as EpiPen auto-injector, a product that has been on the market for nearly 30 years, and is administered in the same way.
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch commented, "Americans are rightfully concerned about rising drug prices, and now more than ever patients and families across this country are standing at the pharmacy counter struggling to pay for their medications. While it is important to understand the outdated and complex system that determines what someone pays for medicine in the US, hardworking families don't need an explanation, they need a solution. This is why we took decisive action with our EpiPen product and have launched the first generic version at half the WAC price. This unprecedented action, along with the enhancements we made to our patient access programs, will help patients and provide substantial savings to payors.”
"Unfortunately, families will continue to face sticker shock for medications and may be forced to make difficult choices until the pharmaceutical pricing system is reformed to address the increasing shift of costs directly to consumers. Pharmaceutical pricing is too far removed from the patient at the pharmacy counter and not designed for today's increasingly consumerized healthcare system. Every day, escalating out-of-pocket costs impact a new patient population; however, this broader systemic issue will not be solved in a meaningful and sustainable way by our industry's one-off, reactive responses. This is an issue that will impact virtually every family on a high deductible plan, regardless of what medicine they are taking. That is why it is critical that all industry participants and government leaders come together to seize the opportunity to make fundamental changes to the system to ensure access to medicine.”
"Making quality medicines and making them accessible to patients has been our mission since Mylan began in West Virginia more than 55 years ago. As one of the world's largest generics companies, our medicines filled one out of 13 of all prescriptions in the US last year - the equivalent of 21 billion doses - which is more than Pfizer, Merck, AstraZeneca, J&J, Sanofi and GSK combined. We will continue to do our part to fight for changes that will make a difference in the lives of patients and remain deeply committed to serving patients in the severe allergy community by working to ensure that everyone who needs an EpiPen has access to one."
The authorized generic will be available starting next week through retail channels. Mylan will maintain its commitment to the severe allergy community and will have a salesforce of approximately 275 representatives selling the product. To further increase access to treatment, Mylan has launched an additional patient purchase option at $300 per two-pack. Mylan also is offering a savings card for eligible patients with commercial health insurance, providing up to $25 off the out-of-pocket cost for the authorized generic. Additionally, Mylan will continue to offer its patient assistance program to support uninsured and underinsured patients.
The authorized generic for EpiPen auto-injector is available in 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg strengths.