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© Martin
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Martin Shkreli, the man
who caused outrage when he announced a 5,500 percent increase in the price of
Daraprim medication, has set his sights on another drug to cash in on. Martin Shkreli, the man
who caused outrage when he announced a 5,500 percent increase in the price of
Daraprim medication, has set his sights on another drug to cash in on.
RT USA report continues:
The
pharmaceutical CEO is set to increase the price of medication used to treat
Chagas disease, a parasitic disease that can lead to lethal heart problems. It
is common in South America.
Shkreli
has bought a majority share in KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, allowing him to apply
for exclusive selling right to benzidazole. It currently costs between US$50-100
for a two-month treatment.
According
to the New York Times, Shkreli told investors he hopes it "would be
similar to that of hepatitis C drugs, which cost US$60,000 to nearly US$100,000
for a course of treatment."
Shkreli
hopes to take advantage of a federal program that awards companies for
developing drugs.
The
program hands out vouchers which can then be sold to other companies at a
profit, according to the New York Times. Shkreli wants to get the voucher for
getting the Chagas drug approved by the FDA. In doing so, he is failing to
develop a new drug, but cashing in on a drug that is already widely used.
Shkreli would have exclusive rights to the drug in the US for five years.
Shkreli
increased the price of Daraprim medication, used by HIV and cancer patients
from US$13.50 to US$700 a pill when he acquired the rights earlier this year.
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