Epipen Maker Agrees to Pay Government $465 Million

By: Victoria Ouyang

On Friday, October 7 Mylan agreed to pay $465 million to the government after reaching a settlement with the Department of Justice and other agencies.  The recent settlement is a small step in effort to reduce the cost of EpiPens but only the beginning of reparations for Mylan. ​

       There has been progress since Ella Belvin (9) wrote her editorial article about the ongoing EpiPen controversy.  Mylan, the creator of the EpiPen, has recently been under fire for its 600% increase on the price of EpiPens. Since EpiPens are used to save people’s lives from severe allergic reactions, many have been outraged by this dramatic increase and fearful of its economic impact. In her editorial article, Ella wrote that “making anyone pay outrageous prices for the drug is immoral and cruel.”  The problem is widespread, too.  For example, Medicaid, a federally funded and state run health care program that aids low-income households, has paid more than twice the price for each EpiPen prescription since 2011, significantly inflating Mylan’s own profit.  
​        On Friday, October 7 Mylan agreed to pay $465 million to the government after reaching a settlement with the Department of Justice and other agencies.  The recent settlement is a small step in effort to reduce the cost of EpiPens but only the beginning of reparations for Mylan. Facing much scrutiny from Congress, Mylan revealed on Friday that the Securities and Exchange Commission will begin an investigation into the company’s practices. Mylan claims that it intends to cooperate with the government’s investigation.