“Pharma Sis” Heather Bresch, the CEO of Mylan, isn’t as smarmy as “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli, but she is every bit as greedy, nasty, and tone-deaf. The “EpiPen” device only contains $1 worth of epinephrine, but the cost of the pen was just jacked up to over $600 recently—an almost 500% increase---even though the damn thing is the exact same product it was in 2008, when it was only $94.
In a PR blitz, Heather Bresch is now trying to say she just cut the price due to the public outcry, except that isn’t true: it is a complete scam. To top it off, Bresch hiked her own salary by almost 700%. Colbert made quick work of her:
x YouTube VideoBTW, Shkreli defended Pharma Sis this past week, saying there was nothing wrong with "making a little money". Note to everyone: if you ever discover that this pathetic little man is on your side, you should know that you are doing something wrong in life.
Angry yet? Take action.
First, join the hundreds of thousands in signing this petition to actually lower the price of the EpiPen. I mean for real. No scams.
Then, contact your congress critter and demand a hearing. While you are at it, demand that they get off their a** and actually do something about skyrocketing drug prices. Pick one, two, or ALL of the following:
1. Repeal the idiot law that says Medicare cannot negotiate prices directly with drug manufacturers. Medicare is 30% of the market, and would have tremendous leverage if they were allowed to negotiate. Naturally, it is forbidden for some damn reason. This has to stop.
2. Allow for the importation of prescriptions from Canada. Heck, everywhere else on the planet has the exact same drugs that we have, but nowhere else do people have to pay through the nose like we do. There is no excuse for this. None.
3. Prohibit “pay-for-delay” agreements that restrict the introduction of generic equivalents to brand-name drugs. Also, there needs to be regulatory reforms to reduce the cost of generic drug approval.
4. Require transparency on prescription drug pricing.
5. Require justification for any massive hike in price.
There. I did your job for you, Congressman. The point is to DO SOMETHING! Then maybe I can overlook your 33 week vacation.