Short-seller Left says it's 'outrageous' to make Mylan 'the next victim of public outcry'

Short-seller Andrew Left said Friday that it was "completely outrageous" for the Senate to try to make Mylan (NASDAQ: MYL) "the next victim of public outcry over pharmaceutical pricing."

Left, known for his successful shorts, or bets, against companies like Valeant Pharmaceuticals (Toronto Stock Exchange: VRX-CA), told CNBC's Scott Wapner on " Halftime Report " that he has a long position in Mylan.

The founder of Citron Research explained that Mylan became "a great whipping boy" for the Senate because the EpiPen is a consumer brand with name recognition. Mylan is a "well-diversified company" and the Senate "picked on the wrong company," Left argued.

"I understand that things have changed since Valeant. I understand that it will never be the way it used to be, but Mylan has been completely collateral damage to the real culprits in this business," Left said.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., the ranking member of the Senate's Special Committee on Aging, should be looking at Mallinckrodt (NYSE: MNK), which Left called a "true abuser of the system."

Mallinckrodt did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Left has been outspoken about his short position or bet against Mallinckrodt.

In March, Left said on "Fast Money" that Mallinckrodt makes Valeant look like a "choirboy" in comparison and that Mallinckrodt's drug Acthar, used to treat seizures in babies, is the "poster child" of price gouging.

Mallinckrodt CEO Mark Trudeau defended the company and said it is "absolutely not Valeant."

"First and foremost, Mallinckrodt is a well-diversified, strong company. We're transparent. Our strength is both operational and financial," Trudeau said on "Fast Money" in March.

— CNBC's Pippa Stevens contributed to this report.

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