Moderna CEO to Testify on COVID Vaccine Price Hike

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Image copyright: Reuters

The Facts

  • Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna, is scheduled to testify before the US Senate about plans to raise the price of its COVID vaccine, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) confirmed Wednesday.

  • The scheduled testimony comes after Sanders in January wrote a letter to Bancel requesting Moderna not go through with its plan to quadruple the price of the vaccine when it becomes available for commercial distribution.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Regardless of what Moderna has announced in terms of abandoning its price-hike plan, the Senate still must play an oversight role in corporate America. Bancel, a billionaire five times over, should have to answer for any profiteering he did off the pandemic, and any plans to hike the vaccine’s price in the future.

Washington Post

Narrative B

Moderna appreciates the assistance it received from the government in developing the vaccine, and it wants to do what’s fair. Bancel’s testimony will be a prime opportunity to convey Moderna’s plan to keep the jab readily available and affordable for all Americans.

Fierce Pharma