Mylan pledges half-price EpiPen generic alternative

After weathering a week of criticism over its back-to-school price hike for the potentially life-saving EpiPen, drugmaker Mylan announced today it will start selling a generic version for half the price of its signature product. An EpiPen 2-Pak has a $600 list price now but cost just $100 in 2008. While the move might help its customers, it won’t help the company’s case with lawmakers, with some suggesting the move is an attempt to squelch any generic competitors. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called today’s announcement a sign of “possible antitrust lawbreaking.” He has vowed to pursue Senate hearings on the issue. Mylan’s CEO, Heather Bresch, the the daughter of Blumenthal’s Democratic colleague, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. The Food and Drug Administration rejected applications from two drugmakers this year for generic alternatives.