Price for lead-poisoning drug increased 28-fold; lawmakers call for change

Valeant Pharmaceuticals is facing intense backlash after raising prices for Calcium EDTA, which is used to treat lead poisoning.

The price for one course of the treatment has skyrocketed from about $950 when Valeant bought the drug three years ago to $27,000, reports STAT. That’s an increase of more than 2,700 percent.

Michigan U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee is calling for Congress to investigate Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ decision to increase the drug’s price.

“Valeant’s price gouging for this life-altering drug is corporate greed at its worst,” Kildee said in a statement.

“Calcium Disodium EDTA is most commonly used to treat low-income, young children who have been exposed to lead in their homes,” he added. “Valeant is taking advantage of these children, who will struggle with the effects of lead poisoning for the rest of their lives, for the sake of corporate profit.

Oregon U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader has introduced a bill to stop similar price increases. The legislation would break up monopolies on generic drugs, making it possible for other companies to get similar products through the long FDA process faster. The bill has picked up 13 co-sponsors, according to an Oregon Public Broadcasting report.

In a written response to STAT, a Valeant spokesperson maintained the current list price for Calcium EDTA is justified.

Price increases in the past few years have allowed the company to provide consistent availability of the drug, which has a limited shelf life and a relatively low volume of drugs purchased, the spokesperson said.

To learn more about what’s driving up the cost of prescription medications of all types, check out the “High RX Costs” issues page on the Voices for Affordable Health website.