News & Commentary

What to Expect in the November Elections and Implications for the 340B Program

With a little over three months left until the crucial midterm elections, it is an excellent time to look into what to expect in November. The party in control of Congress in 2023 and 2024 will have a significant impact not only on big picture … [Read more...]

Five Key Takeaways from Supreme Court Decision on Payments to 340B Hospitals

For the second time in a little over a decade, the 340B program took center stage June 15 before the U.S. Supreme Court. For a refresher course, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ruled in 2011 in a unanimous opinion (Astra USA v. Santa Clara County) … [Read more...]

Growing Momentum at State and Federal Level for 340B Protections

With the nation’s capital remaining largely gridlocked, a growing number of safety net providers have turned to the states to address challenges to the 340B program. As we get close to the end of most state legislatures’ sessions, it is a good time … [Read more...]

A 340B Pricing Success Story and Recommendations for Improvement

In April 2019, after a long-fought effort, including hospital litigation against the government, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began posting 340B ceiling prices on its website and finalized regulations that would impose … [Read more...]

17 Different Drug Manufacturer Policies Imposed on the 340B Program and Counting

In the past 18 months, the 340B drug contract pharmacy program has seemingly fractured into 17 programs, one governed by the federal government and 16 others with their own standards determined by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Frustrated by program … [Read more...]

Time for a Full Court Press on Legislation to Solve 340B Contract Pharmacy Impasse

With the recent decision in AstraZeneca's lawsuit against the federal government on the legality of the 340B contract pharmacy program, we have reached an inflection point. Federal judges have now ruled on the first six lawsuits filed by drug … [Read more...]

2023 May Look Very Different in Washington, D.C., for 340B Stakeholders

It's hard to believe that election season is around the corner. But in less than a year, Congress could look ve­­­ry different than it does now. All signs foretell a Republican takeover of the House and a very good possibility of the GOP assuming … [Read more...]

Three 340B Predictions for the New Year

It is always risky to make predictions, particularly about federal policy, the courthouse, and politics. Nonetheless, in the spirit of the New Year, here are three predictions in the 340B drug pricing area for 2022: … [Read more...]

Implications of Recent Court Decisions on 340B Contract Pharmacy Program

In this month's column, I am going to touch upon the flurry of recent court decisions in the 340B contract pharmacy standoff and then dive into a key argument made by each of the pharmaceutical manufacturers in their suits against the government. … [Read more...]

Recent 340B Legislative Activity a Harbinger?

After a quiet period, the pharmaceutical industry and its congressional allies are renewing efforts to make long-sought changes to the 340B program. While the moves are unlikely to gain much traction in a Democratically controlled Congress and White … [Read more...]