Amidst Backlash, Pharma CEO Explains Higher HIV Drug Price as Critical for Research

Clinton calls drug price hike 'outrageous,' vows plan (CNBC)

The organization also said it was concerned that the price of the drug would preclude hospitals from stockpiling in anticipation of need.

Martin Shkreli, the founder and CEO of Turing, told the Times that the money it was making on Daraprim would be used to develop a better medication for toxoplasmosis, with less toxicity than Daraprim.

"This isn't the greedy drug company trying to gouge patients, it is us trying to stay in business," Shkreli told the Times. On Monday, he said that that about half the supply of Daraprim is sold for a dollar per pill, and that the company would not deny access to the drug based on need.

Shkreli, during an appearance on CNBC's Power Lunch, said "No," when asked if he would reduce the price of the drug in the face of calls to do so.

"We feel this is an appropriate price," said Shkreli. He later adding that when Turing purchased Daraprim "we definitely planned on raising the price, that's for sure."