Valeant announces patient access and pricing committee to oversee pricing of drugs

Company says it is committed to ensuring previous mistakes are not repeated.

The company's Board of Directors will oversee the Patient Access and Pricing Committee. The company has recently added new members to its board and announced the nomination of additional board members who together bring significant experience in physician and patient access, legal and regulatory affairs, and the pharmaceutical industry. Among other issues, the committee will review the pricing of Nitropress, Isuprel, Cuprimine, and Syprine.

"Valeant has made mistakes in how it priced its drugs in the past, and we are committed to ensuring those mistakes are not repeated," said Joseph Papa, chairman and chief executive officer. "This new committee will take a disciplined approach to reviewing the company's pricing of drugs, and will consider the impact on patients, doctors, and our health care industry partners. Valeant's number one priority is ensuring patients can access the medicines they need."

Since last week's hearing before the Senate Aging Committee, Valeant has reached out to hospitals to follow up on concerns raised that they had not received expected discounts on Nitropress and Isuprel. The company will continue to work with hospitals to ensure they have access to the two drugs.