Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has made Massachusetts pharmaceutical company Sepracor its latest industry target, criticizing the company over pricing of its sleep aid Lunesta.
According to a Bloomberg News report, Sepracor charges nearly $99 for a 30-day supply of Lunesta versus $87.99 for a 30-day supply of Sanofi-Aventis’ Ambien, a primary competitor and the global sales leader.
Generic versions of Ambien sell for $12.99 for a 30-day supply, Public Citizen said.
The group also claimed Sepracor gained approval for Lunesta despite a concern about cancer risks, after a senior FDA official overruled the objections and the agency instead sought more information. 
Sepracor told Bloomberg News that Public Citizen’s assertions were wrong and that the FDA issued a “universal decision to approve this drug.”
Sepracor is hoping Lunesta will achieve positive results, spending $100 million to market the drug and boosting its work force by 900 employees to help sell it.