Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna dropped coverage for Mylan's EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. auto-injectors in favor of its generic alternative according to the payer's prescription drug list changes, which were effective Jan. 7.
In December, Canonsburg, Pa.-based Mylan launched a two-pack of the generic epinephrine auto-injectors for $300, a more than 50 percent discount from EpiPen's $608 list price. Mylan was scrutinized for its more than 400 percent increase of the price of EpiPens since 2009.
In an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Cigna spokesperson Karen Eldred said, "We have revised our covered drug list to encourage use of the generic version," which she said "has the same drug formulation and device functionality as the branded medication, but at a substantial cost savings."
Ms. Eldred said Cigna will work with customers' physicians to consider extending coverage for the brand name version if deemed medically necessary.
Mylan said it expected the coverage drop for its brand name product because of its generic option launch, CNN Money reports. Mylan stock has fallen between 6 percent and 8 percent from its Wednesday high of about $39.33 following disclosure of the coverage change and President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of the U.S. drug industry during a Wednesday press conference.