Congressman Criticizes Maker of Overdose Antidote Naloxone for High Prices

Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland criticized the maker of the opioid overdose antidote naloxone Tuesday for increasing the price of the drug as demand has increased. He spoke at the Full House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on the heroin epidemic.

“We can no longer allow drug companies to keep ripping off the taxpayers for life-saving medications,” Cummings said. “Cities all around the country have recognized the need to equip their first responders, police officers and public health officials with naloxone — a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses in a matter of minutes.”

The Huffington Post reports Cummings said naloxone maker Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc. has increased the price of the drug “by staggering amounts.” He noted that in May 2014, a 10-dose pack cost the Baltimore City Health Department roughly $190. “Guess what? Today, it costs more than $400 for a life-saving drug,” he said.

Following complaints of price increases, Amphastar agreed to rebates with public entities in New York and Ohio, the article notes.

Michael Botticelli, Director of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, told reporters Tuesday he is concerned about naloxone’s price increase. He said his office and other federal agencies are trying to address the cost of the drug through federal grants for naloxone.

Botticelli noted the Food and Drug Administration approved a nasal-spray version of naloxone in November as a way to increase competition among drug companies. Until the spray was approved, the only approved version of naloxone was injectable. The company that makes the spray, Adapt Pharma, said it will offer the spray at a discount to emergency workers, police and firefighters.