During negotiations between Aspen Pharmaceuticals and several governments in Europe, it has been revealed, the pharma giant threatened to destroy stocks of certain life-saving drugs for the sole purpose of driving up prices.

Aspen Pharmaceuticals, a South African drug company, plotted to drive up the prices for several of its products, including a chemotherapy drug called busulfan, a drug called Leukeran used by leukaemia patients, and a drug called melphalan used to treat skin and ovarian cancers, in negotiations with health organizations in England, Wales, Spain and Italy.

According to a leaked email published by The Times, an employee at Aspen gloated over the company’s successful negotiations, writing, “We’ve signed new reimbursement and price agreement successfully: price increases are basically on line with European target prices […] Let’s celebrate!”

Full story: sputniknews.com

Sputnik International