SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown is approving legislation that allows businesses to stock EpiPens used to treat people having life-threatening allergic reactions.
The Democratic governor signed AB1386 Thursday and also condemned the EpiPen manufacturer Mylan for significantly raising the price while sponsoring the California legislation and similar measures around the country.
Brown says in a letter to lawmakers that he signed the bill because it has the potential to save lives. He says state government can’t prevent the price hikes but “can shed light on such rapacious corporate behavior.”
The price for a two-pack of EpiPens has grown to $608, an increase of more than 500 percent since 2007.
Mylan has responded to a public outcry over its pricing by announcing it will launch a generic version that will cost $300.