The pharmaceutical company that hiked the price of a drug used for the treatment of AIDS and cancer by 5,000% is cutting the price. It is going to charge hospitals by 50%. Yesterday, NY and Zug, Switzerland-based Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC announced a 50% cut in its prices for toxoplasmosis drug Daraprim.

In a statement, the company said, “After talking with doctors, patients, and patient advocacy groups and considering the ongoing patient assistance programs, Turing recognized that the place they could have the biggest impact on Daraprim cost – and ultimately cost savings to patients was in hospitals”.

Sample starter packages would cost zero to make sure that physicians treating patients in the community get a free and instant access to begin therapy during emergency situations. However as per Turing’s chief commercial officer Nancy Retzlaff, no patient in need of Daraprim will be denied access ever. Nancy Retzlaff said that the list price of a drug is not the main factor to determine patient access and affordability.

A furor over the price hike by Turing erupted, and triggered a number of government investigations and politicians’ promises to rein in high prescription drug prices. In other nations, you can get Daraprim for less than $1 per pill.

Turing has mentioned that it will take part in federal and state programs, including Medicaid and Section 340B. The company was condemned by critics for raising the cost of a drug that’s a necessary treatment for millions of patients across the world. The drug has been available since 1953.