U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) is renewing his call for the Department of Justice to investigate pharmaceutical companies over allegedly fixing the price of insulin. Insulin prices have nearly tripled over the last decade despite the price of production staying the same.
In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland this week, Rep. Burchett brought attention to how this potentially criminal activity on the part of pharmaceutical companies unnecessarily increases the cost of insulin for Americans living with diabetes, particularly in Tennessee.
"Tennessee has one of the highest rates of people living with diabetes in the country, and for many of them, this common 100-year old medication is becoming cost prohibitive," Rep. Burchett wrote. "I urge your department to continue investigating these soaring insulin prices and take every action necessary to ensure that no illegal activity is taking place."
This is the second time Rep. Burchett has reached out to the Department of Justice about this issue. In October 2019, Rep. Burchett wrote to then-Attorney General William Barr urging an investigation into skyrocketing insulin prices. The Justice Department responded, assuring it would investigate and take enforcement action against any firms determined to be engaged in illegal coordination.
Rep. Burchett's letter to Attorney General Garland is available here.
Original source can be found here.
