EpiPen Response

 

Arkansas Pharmacists Association Responds to Epi-Pen Price Hike 

August 26 (Little Rock) – As Epi-Pen manufacturer Mylan continues to make national headlines for raising the price of the life-saving drug injector, families across Arkansas are struggling with paying for the high cost of the product to keep their children and themselves safe. As advocates for the state’s medication experts, the Arkansas Pharmacists Association urges Mylan to reconsider their pricing structure of the Epi-Pen product that has seen seven price increases in less than four years, from $240 in 2012 to more than $600 today.

As manufacturers continue to raise prices in unfettered ways, the insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that administer drug plans will continue to try to shrink the already small reimbursement that pharmacists get. The typical retail pharmacist must pay approximately $595 to stock the drug in their pharmacy, while only getting paid approximately $605.  This leaves only $10 profit for the pharmacist’s contribution as the medication expert on a patient’s medical team.  This goes to show that drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit middlemen are making staggering profits at the expense of patients, insurers and pharmacists.

The Arkansas Pharmacists Association will continue to strive for strategies that achieve access to affordable health care for Arkansans and support state pharmacists that provide immeasurable knowledge for the health and well-being of the state’s citizens.