US: Company that hiked drug price 5000% now under antitrust probe

Turing Pharmaceuticals, the drug company that jacked up the price of a drug used by AIDS and cancer patients by more than 5,000%, is facing an antitrust probe by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The drug company raised the price of Daraprim, a 62-year old drug no longer under patent protection, to $750 a tablet from $13.50.

The drug’s main use is to treat life-threatening parasitic infections but it is also needed by some infants and patients with AIDS. The price hike sparked howls of protest and the company promised to lower the price but has yet to do so.

The investigation, which was confirmed by Schneiderman’s office, is looking at whether Turing is restricting the distribution of Daraprim to thwart generic competition that would prevent it from maintaining the massive price increase. The office is concerned Turing restricted distribution of the drug specifically so generic drug manufacturers couldn’t get the samples they need to create their own version.

Full content: Human Rights Campaign

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