I’m writing to express my deep concerns about the pricing strategies surrounding life-saving medications like the EpiPen, which you have managed to escalate to an astonishing $600. Your recent announcement of a $300 generic alternative doesn’t disguise the fact that this drug, which has a production cost of just a few dollars, has seen a staggering price increase of $500 over the past decade. You stated that the generic would be offered at “half” the price, but allergy families see through this tactic. We know that even at this new price point, we are still paying three times what we did less than ten years ago.
Did you really think we would be grateful for this so-called discount, or did you assume we wouldn’t recognize the reality behind your pricing? The truth is, your actions speak volumes about your priorities—profit over people.
Families managing allergies cannot simply save up for an EpiPen as one might for a car purchase; this medication is essential, and it has a shelf life of just one year. Our family requires three packs to ensure our daughter is safe, and I know many others who need even more. The burden of this constant expense is overwhelming, especially when we are forced to make difficult choices between our children’s safety and other basic needs.
Those of us who can afford your inflated prices do so out of necessity. We have no choice but to pay, or risk the unthinkable. You might argue that lowering prices would harm Mylan, but it’s hard to reconcile this with your salary, which has skyrocketed by over 670% since your company acquired the EpiPen. With an annual income of $19 million, it’s clear that your financial appetite knows no bounds.
Your refusal to reduce EpiPen prices demonstrates that Mylan’s profits and your wealth take precedence over the lives of my daughter and countless other children who rely on multiple EpiPens for safety. It’s worth considering the reality that each extravagant meal or luxury item you indulge in is funded by families who are sacrificing their own needs to ensure their children have access to this critical medicine.
You may attempt to present a façade of concern for those affected by this crisis, but actions speak louder than words. Your sponsorship of allergy-related organizations does not equate to genuine compassion—it’s merely a fraction of the profits harvested from families who struggle to afford this essential medication. True generosity comes from understanding and prioritizing the welfare of others, not from using philanthropy as a shield for your corporate greed.
Your actions have shown that you will never truly understand the strength and compassion of the allergy community. While some may wish harm upon you, I assure you that most of us would never wish such a burden on anyone. We know too well the devastating impact of anaphylaxis; we’ve held our loved ones through their struggles, trembling with anxiety as we administer life-saving epinephrine.
If a crisis struck and you found yourself in need, I can guarantee that any parent in our community would rush to help, despite the fact that you have continually made our lives more difficult. This is the character of the community you’ve exploited.
I am proud that my daughters will grow up among compassionate individuals who understand the value of life. Your actions have, in fact, provided a clear example of how not to conduct oneself. They will learn to be empathetic, to prioritize the well-being of others, and to reject greed in favor of kindness.
In Conclusion
My hope is that my daughters will inherit a world where the value of human life far outweighs financial gain. They will be nothing like you, Jessica.
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Summary
: This letter expresses a father’s deep frustration with the inflated prices of life-saving medications like the EpiPen, highlighting the struggles families face in affording necessary treatments. It critiques the CEO’s greed and lack of compassion while emphasizing the strength and solidarity of the allergy community. The letter ultimately calls for a more humane approach to healthcare and pricing.