If Martin Shkreli could turn back time, he says he would go back and charge even more for the HIV drug Daraprim.
“I think I could have it raised it higher and made even more profit,” Shkreli said at a Forbes Healthcare Summit in New York yesterday morning.
The 32-year-old CEO continued: “Our shareholders expect you should make as much money as possible–that’s the ugly truth. That’s part of what capitalist America is what is all about.”
In August, Shkreli raised the price of Daraprim, a drug used by some HIV patients, by more than 5,000 percent overnight, going from $13.50 to $750 per tablet.
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A major backlash ensued, and when the dust settled, Shkreli’s company reported a net loss of $14.6 million.
Shkreli went on to say that his behavior was no different than the CEO of Coca Cola.
Drug companies, he added, should not be held to a different standard.
“I know society can’t put you in jail for violating your fiduciary responsibility,” he said.
As as for those of you who want to criticize him for being greedy, he suggested you–yes, you–should try being a CEO of a multimillion dollar company.
“See how well you do,” he snarled.
h/t: Capital New York
