By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, said makers of EpiPens pens have gone too far and he’d like to see congressional oversight.

The cost of the allergy medicine has quadrupled in the last five years.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with LaHood on WJBC.

“I think if you are prohibiting or you are deterring people that need medicine from getting it, that’s wrong particular when people have life-threatening allergies,” LaHood said.

LaHood stopped short of saying the government should dictate the cost of the drugs.

“I want to be careful about the government being too heavy handed, however we need to have answers on why this is being done, why the cost is going up so much and how do we can more competition in the system,” LaHood said.

Congress plans to hold hearings this fall on the dramatically rising costs of EpiPens and other medications.

New office

Lahood and State Sen. Jason Barickman are opening a new Bloomington office where they will offer constituent services. An open house is planned for Monday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the new office at 3004 G.E. Road, Suite 1B.

LaHood said his staff can help when you have a federal issue that needs resolved.

“Maybe you have a visa or a passport you needs to get immediately, we can help expedite it,” LaHood said. “If you are a veteran and you are not getting your proper health care benefits or are getting the runaround from the (Veterans Administration), we help you sort through that and get you the health care you need.”

LaHood said pledged to open a Bloomington office during the campaign last year.

The office will be staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].