Mylan offers EpiPen coupon after public backlash over price hike

Responding to pressure from lawmakers and the public, Mylan Pharmaceutical is expanding existing programs to make its EpiPen emergency allergy treatments more affordable.

The company has drawn scrutiny in recent days for price hikes that saw the cost of a two-pack of EpiPens bloat from $100 to $600. The EpiPen, which cost $57 in 2007, contains about $1 worth of epinephrine. They are used to quickly treat the severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can include swelling of the tongue or throat, shortness of breath and a rash.

Mylan is reducing the cost through a savings card which will cover up to $300 for the two-pack. For patients who were previously paying the full amount of the company's list price for EpiPen, this effectively reduces their out-of-pocket cost by half.

The company is also doubling the eligibility for its patient assistance program, which it said will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for uninsured and under-insured patients and families.

[Also: Hillary Clinton, lawmakers call on Mylan to reverse the price hike on EpiPen]

Further, Mylan will continue to offer the EpiPen4Schools program. Launched in August 2012, it has provided more than 700,000 free epinephrine auto-injectors and educational resources to more than 65,000 schools nationwide to help them be prepared for students undergoing anaphylaxis events.

"We recognize the significant burden on patients from continued, rising insurance premiums and being forced increasingly to pay the full list price for medicines at the pharmacy counter," said Mylan CEO Heather Bresch in a statement. "Patients deserve increased price transparency and affordable care, particularly as the system shifts significant costs to them."

[Also: Protected drug monopolies drive costs higher, Harvard Medical School report finds]

Numerous lawmakers and public figures throughout the week have called for Mylan to lower the price, with Democratic White House contender Hillary Clinton writing on her Facebook page Wednesday, "It's wrong when drug companies put profits ahead of patients, raising prices without justifying the value behind them."

In a previous statement, Mylan had said that EpiPen's price "has changed over time to better reflect important product features and the value the product provides," adding, "We've made a significant investment to support the device."

Twitter: @JELagasse