Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to the Department of Justice imploring the agency to reject a settlement with Mylan Pharmaceuticals, according to Morning Consult.
Here are four takeaways:
1. Earlier this month, Mylan agreed to pay the DOJ $465 million to settle questions regarding the classification of the business's EpiPen. The DOJ was investigating Mylan after discovering the company had classified the Mylan-brand EpiPen as a generic drug.
2. CMS found Mylan underpaid a Medicaid rebate program for years, leading to the DOJ's settlement with Mylan. The language outlined in the settlement does not imply the company committed any wrongdoings concerning how much it paid Medicaid.
3. In his letter, Sen. Blumenthal said Mylan paid Medicaid "a shadow of what it should be." He wrote, "Simply, this agreement is blatantly inadequate, notably in dollar amount, but also Mylan's avoiding admission of moral and legal responsibility."
4. The senator implores the DOJ to work hand-in-hand with state officials regarding pending agreements with Mylan. Based on Mylan's actions, Sen. Blumenthal says the DOJ should examine the facts, determine the company's intent and "punish wrongdoing to deter present and future bad actors."
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