October 17, 2011—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has exercised its option to extend Apexus’ contract to run the 340B Prime Vendor Program (PVP) for another year.
HRSA awarded a five-year contract to manage PVP to the Texas-based nonprofit corporationin June 2009 and it went into effect in September of that year. It was Apexus’ second five-year contract to run the program, which negotiates pharmaceutical pricing below the 340B ceiling price for its members and offers them other value-added services. Apexus announced that its contract had been extended in an Oct. 4 news release.
The 2009 pact had a term of two years with three one-year renewal options, Apexus said. “We are excited about our continued relationship with HRSA,” Apexus Vice President Christopher Hatwig said in a prepared statement. He noted that Apexus has added “numerous value-added products and services” to the prime vendor program since its partnership with HRSA began, “such as discounted pricing for diabetic supplies, vaccines, patient assistance programs, and other outpatient related products and services.”
More than 11,800 covered entities participate in PVP, which has negotiated discounts on more than 3,800 products and services, with drug prices averaging 12 percent below the statutory 340B ceiling price, Apexus reports.
“We are prepared and ready to continue our work with HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs and its Pharmacy Services Support Center to apply resources, experience and relationships to advance the Prime Vendor Program in delivering optimal value for all participating 340B covered entities,” said Hatwig.