Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this week urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to permit pharmacies and manufacturers to distribute lower-cost versions of a $375,000 drug that treats a neuromuscular disorder, Reuters reported.

The drug is currently listed at $375,000 a year and is sold by Catalyst Pharmaceuticals under the name Firdapse. It treats the autoimmune disease Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS).

Reuters reported that prior to the release of Firdapse, patients could access the same drug for free from New Jersey-based drug company Jacobus Pharmaceuticals.

In a letter to the FDA, Sanders called the price "shocking" and requested that FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announce that the agency would not take action against pharmacies and manufacturers who provide lower-cost versions of the drug.

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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/431981-bernie-sanders-presses-fda-to-allow-lower-cost-versions-of-375k-drug