West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin’s daughter, Mylan CEO Heather Bresch, who has come under fire for her company’s widely-slammed decision to raise the cost of the EpiPen by 461 Percent since 2007, raised her salary by a whopping 671 percent during her tenure at the pharmaceutical giant.
Bresch’s annual income jumped from $2,453,456 in 2007 to $18,931,068 in 2015, coinciding with the astounding price increase on the life-saving emergency allergy shot, The Chicago Tribune reports.
In addition to her astoundingly high salary, Bresch reportedly took advantage of a number of unprecedented perks, including personal use of the company’s aircraft.
The EpiPen has served as a cash cow for Mylan, accounting for 40 percent of the pharmaceutical company’s operating profits in 2014. Its price has gone up form a wholesale price of $56.64 to $317.82 in just a few short years.
The company has since announced it’s doubling its eligibility for its patient assistance program and covering up to $300 in out-of-pocket costs with its discount card following the backlash.
But Congress has not been placated by Mylan’s attempts to douse the flames of the controversy.
A number of Manchin’s colleagues, who has painted himself as a crusader for affordable health care, on both sides of the political spectrum have slammed the company for price gouging with many demanding answers and calling for a formal investigation. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley along with Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Democratic Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are spearheading the effort to push the Food and Drug Administration to review and approve alternatives to increase competition in an attempt to drive down prices.
Bloomberg first noted it’s likely Manchin could be put in an uncomfortable position if his daughter is summoned to Capitol Hill for questioning, as seen in similar situations in the past, most recently with former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC Martin Shekreli.
“I am aware of the questions my colleagues and many parents are asking and frankly I share their concerns about the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Today I heard Mylan’s initial response, and I am sure Mylan will have a more comprehensive and formal response to those questions,” Manchin said in a statement provided to The Daily Caller News Foundation. “I look forward to reviewing their response in detail and working with my colleagues and all interested parties to lower the price of prescription drugs and to continue to improve our health care system.”
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