ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — EpiPen users could soon pay less out of pocket for the life-saving injections.
(WLOS)
On Thursday, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office announced an $11 million settlement with Mylan, the exclusive distributor of EpiPen auto-injectors.
“The company that sells them, we believe, was breaking the law to keep prices high,” said NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson in a video statement.
He added that Mylan’s price for a two-pack went from $100 to $600 between 2007 and 2016.
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Jackson says it was able to do that by using the patent system to delay competitors from getting to the market, along with misleading marketing campaigns.
“Making misleading claims about the cheaper generic versions that did exist. That meant less competition, which let them charge higher prices,” Jackson explained.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s recorded message about an $11 million settlement with the makers of EpiPen. (Credit: Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s Office)
He added that the settlement money will be split up.
“With a chunk of money going back to state taxpayers because a lot of these EpiPens were purchased with state money for people who would not have otherwise been able to afford them,” Jackson said.
As part of the settlement, the company has also agreed to lower out-of-pocket costs.
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“So, they can no longer block cheaper options, they’re making a big payment, and out-of-pocket costs will be lower going forward,” Jackson said.
Of the $11 million settlement, the state health plan and North Carolina Medicaid will each receive $4.2 million.
Jackson says he hopes the settlement sets a precedent by putting other drug companies on notice, too.
“If we have evidence they are breaking the law, we are going to hold them accountable,” he said.