For the U.S. to have a real national healthcare program, this is what must be fixed

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4. Drug exec Shkreli will not answer questions at hearing: letter

Source: Reuters

Business News | Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:22pm EST

Drug exec Shkreli will not answer questions at hearing: letter

NEW YORK | BY NATE RAYMOND AND DAVID INGRAM

Former drug executive Martin Shkreli plans to assert his right against self-incrimination and remain silent if he is forced to appear next week at a congressional hearing about drug prices, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Shkreli's lawyer informed the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of his intent not to answer questions and asked that Shkreli be excused from appearing, committee chairman Jason Chaffetz wrote in the letter dated Wednesday to his lawyer, Baruch Weiss.

Shkreli, who created a fire storm last year after raising the price of Daraprim, a life-saving medicine by more than 5,000 percent, is also facing federal criminal charges that he defrauded investors.

Chaffetz, a Utah Republican, wrote to Weiss that Shkreli could face criminal prosecution for contempt if he fails to appear at the hearing, scheduled for Tuesday. "Mr. Shkreli is uniquely qualified to answer questions about rising prescription drug prices," Chaffetz wrote.

Shkreli told lawmakers on Twitter on Thursday: "Your attempt to subvert my constitutional right to the 5th amendment are disgusting & insulting to all Americans."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-shkreli-idUSKCN0UZ2O3