Lawmakers seek info from Ariad

Two top lawmakers demanded information from a drug company that has raised prices on a leukemia drug, calling the increases a sign the company puts profits before patients.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (IVt.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote to Ariad Pharmaceuticals on Thursday and asked about price hikes for Iclusig. Ariad raised the cost of the drug four times in 2016 to an almost $200,000 yearly cost, up more than $80,000 over the last several years.

Sanders and Cummings also said they’re looking into whether the firm tried to boost profits by tweaking pill dosages and quantities.