RantCrush Top 5: February 10, 2017

Thirty-one Senate Democrats have signed a letter asking pharmaceutical company Kaleo why the price of its device to treat opioid overdoses has surged more than 680 percent in the past three years. The emergency auto-injector device, called Evzio, contains the drug naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses. According to a report, the price for a two-pack went up from $575 in 2014 to the enormous price tag of $4,500 today. Among the senators behind the letter are Cory Booker, Tim Kaine, and Bernie Sanders; Sanders has fought against pharmaceutical companies’ extreme price hikes for a long time.

In midst of our nationwide opioid epidemic, drug maker Kaleo raised the price of its overdose treatment six-fold. This has gone on too long. pic.twitter.com/2anq9QR3eM

— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) February 5, 2017

The letter seeks answers about what it actually costs to produce Evzio and the reimbursements Kaleo gets from the federal government. CEO Spencer Williamson said the company will address all the issues mentioned in the letter.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.