AstraZeneca follows rival, will cap inhaler prices at $35 per month amid scrutiny

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced on Monday that it would cap copays on all inhaler products at $35.

The cap will take effect June 1 and apply to the company’s entire line of inhalers used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including the Symbicort, Breztri Aerosphere and Airsupra inhalers. This cap applies to uninsured or underinsured patients.

The announcement follows a similar move by rival company Boehringer Ingelheim and comes amid scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over the cost of its inhalers.

Both companies also face scrutiny from federal regulators for anticompetitive practices that could delay bringing lower-cost generic drugs to market.

The Federal Trade Commission recently challenged more than 100 patents that were improperly listed in the Food and Drug Administration’s patent and exclusivity information database, including five patents for AstraZeneca’s blockbuster inhaler Symbicort. I filed a complaint.

The company noted that it lowered the list price of Symbicort earlier this year.

The change comes amid increased attention and criticism of the cost of inhalers. Four major manufacturers, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Teva, have been accused of charging Americans significantly more than consumers abroad would pay for the same products.・The company is being investigated by Democratic Party members including Sen. Sanders (I-Vermont).

AstraZeneca’s Breztri Aerosphere inhaler costs $645 in the U.S. but just $49 in the U.K., according to pricing data from lawmakers.

“We remain focused on meeting the need for affordable medicines, but the system is complex and we cannot do it alone. It is important that Congress brings together key stakeholders to support reform of the health care system so that people can afford the most affordable medicines,” CEO Pascal Soriot said in a statement.

Sanders said in a statement that he had spoken with the CEOs of all the companies since the investigation began, and called on GlaxoSmithKline and Teva to do the same.

“If AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim can cap the cost of their inhalers in the U.S. at $35, other companies can do the same,” Sanders said.