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‘It’s Criminal’: Congressman Wants ‘Pharma Bro’ To Testify Under Oath

CREDIT: SCREENSHOT
CREDIT: SCREENSHOT

Is the “Pharma bro” coming to Congress? He will if Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) gets his way.

Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, has requested a hearing next week to question Martin Shkreli, the former hedge fund manager known as the “Pharma bro.”

Shkreli has attracted attention since he hiked the price of Daraprim, a drug used to treat severe infections in AIDS patients and infants, by 5000%. Shkreli is the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals.

In an interview, Cummings called Shkreli’s actions “criminal.”

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As a member of the Democratic minority, Cummings cannot unilaterally call the hearing. But he wrote a letter to Chairman Jason Chaffetz on Tuesday, requesting a hearing be scheduled.

Cummings Letter Re: Martin Shkreli

Cummings notes that the committee had previously “agreed unanimously to investigate the increasing price of certain prescription drugs” but “has held no hearings and has issued no document requests to drug companies this year.”

Tuesday night, Shkreli told ABC News he would reduce the price of Daraprim. He would not specify the new price.