FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – Today, the Office of New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas sent an investigatory letter requesting information to the manufacturer of EpiPen, the brand name of an auto-injector used so that synthetic adrenaline can be administered safely and quickly to treat anaphylaxis caused by a severe allergic reaction. In the past months, the price of EpiPens has risen dramatically, raising alarm that some New Mexico families may not be able to afford this life-saving medication. In 2007, EpiPens’ retail costs were somewhere around $60. Today they sell for more than $600. The letter from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General seeks information regarding the number of EpiPens sold in New Mexico and how many schools are participating in the “EpiPens4Schools” program, among other information.
“Protecting New Mexico children and families is my top priority,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “I have initiated this investigation to make sure that we are holding out of state corporations and giant drug companies accountable to New Mexico laws, and that we are doing everything in our power to make sure New Mexico children and families can afford their life-saving medications.”
The letter cites the Attorney General’s authority to investigate, though admits that the letter does not, yet, constitute a formal investigation. The letter asks for a response by September 30, 2016. Once a response has been received, Attorney General Balderas and his staff will review the information and determine whether a further investigation is warranted.
See attached for a copy of the letter that was sent today.
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