21 Sep Modern Healthcare: Senators echo call for investigation over Medicaid rebates for EpiPen
Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have joined the chorus calling for an investigation into Medicaid’s handling of manufacturer rebates for EpiPen.
The 14 Republicans on the committee sent a letter to HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson asking him to review the CMS’ administration and oversight of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program in regards to the EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector. Recent reports, including a memo from the National Association of Medicaid Directors, have noted that EpiPen has been misclassified as a generic product, which means manufacturer Mylan Pharmaceuticals may be paying less in rebates.
In exchange for state Medicaid coverage for most of their drugs, manufacturers agree to pay quarterly rebates to states, who share the money with the federal government. About 600 drugmakers participate in the program, which is intended to offset the overall cost of prescription drugs under Medicaid.
