Paul Sassone

The Declaration of Independence says you have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The pharmaceutical giant Mylan says you don’t.

If you have severe allergies, Mylan says you can live if you can afford to pay an outrageous sum (or should I say ransom?) for EpiPen.

EpiPen is a pen-like device that is used in emergencies to halt potentially fatal allergic reactions. EpiPen dispenses epinephrine, a drug that reduces swelling, opens airways and reduces other symptoms of severe allergic reaction to insect bites and stings and to allergic reactions to such foods as eggs and nuts.

And Mylan is the only game in town. It owns the patent for EpiPen. And because it could, Mylan earlier this year raised the price for a two-pack of epiPens to $608, a 600 percent price increase over the 2007 price.

At first, Mylan CEO Heather Bresch tried to quell the public outcry by saying that insurance companies pay most of the cost. Interesting view from a conservative, since conservatives claim to believe in individual responsibility and not passing the buck.

Also, the statement wasn’t true. Some people don’t have insurance.

Some people have insurance with high co-pays. Some people have insurance that doesn’t cover EpiPens.

So, Mylan tried again, announcing it would release a generic version of EpiPen that would cost $300. And insurance would blah, blah, blah …

That’s still three times as much as the EpiPen cost in 2007.

The EpiPen outrage highlights the larger scandal of soaring drug prices in America. We all know someone — or from personal experience — who pays staggering amounts for life-saving drugs.

Or, maybe they can’t pay. And so they don’t buy their prescriptions.

What happens is they get sicker. And perhaps — the Declaration of Independence notwithstanding — they lose their life.

Why doesn’t the government do something about this?

Well, the interesting coincidence that Mylan’s CEO is the daughter of a United States senator might provide a clue as to who it is our representatives represent.

Today, the scandal in EpiPen. Tomorrow? Who knows what citizen-gouging outrage will crop up?

More.

That seems to be the only word too many corporations understand and believe in.

And now comes Donald Trump, the personification of this greedy mindset. He has a real shot at becoming president.

Heaven help us.

–Greedy corporations  curbing Americans’ pursuit of happiness–