Posted by Michael Wonder on 23 Aug 2018
FDA's new generic EpiPen approval exemplifies progress on drug price reform
23 August 2018 - Last week, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced the approval of the first generic version of EpiPen, an injectable form of epinephrine frequently used in children to treat life-threatening allergies.
On this and many other Trump administration health care initiatives, the consistent theme is lower prices through competition.
Contrary to what you might think, over 85 percent of all prescriptions in the United States are for inexpensive, unbranded, generic drugs. The problem of unaffordable drug prices is restricted to two areas: (1) patented, branded drugs; (2) off-patent drugs that, due to federal laws or regulations, have avoided competition.
