February 10, 2016—Annual recertification of eligibility for most federal grantees in the 340B drug discount program will begin Friday Feb. 12, and end Wednesday March 9, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced today. … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2016
More Than 4,700 Physicians Urge Congress to Protect 340B
Drug discount program "helps us take better care of our patients every day"February 10, 2016— More than 4,700 physicians at safety-net hospitals across America have signed a letter to the Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress urging them not to limit or shrink the 340B drug discount program. … [Read more...]
President Seeks Express Rulemaking Power for 340B Program
Asks Congress to amend 340B statute in his annual budget requestFebruary 9, 2016—The Obama administration today asked Congress in its fiscal year 2017 budget request to amend the 340B statute to give the Secretary of Health and Human Services express authority to "issue regulations with binding and future effect" for the drug discount program. The administration is seeking $26.24 million for the 340B program – $17.24 million in … [Read more...]
House Committee Grills Drug Company Execs About Price Hikes
Lawmakers concerned about impact on hospitalsFebruary 4, 2016—Former Turing Pharmaceuticals chief executive Martin Shkreli today invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in declining to answer a House committee's questions about Turing's 5,000 percent price increase for a potentially life-saving off-patent medicine lacking competition. … [Read more...]
House Panel Lifts Lid on Drug Company Price Gouging
Ranking Democrat says practices are endemic throughout industryFebruary 2, 2016—Two drug companies under congressional investigation for price gouging used tactics that "are not limited to a few ‘bad apples,’ but are prominent throughout the industry,” the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight committee said today upon releasing summaries of more than 300,000 pages of documents from the companies in advance of a Feb. 4 hearing. … [Read more...]
Presidential Candidates Bemoaning Rising Rx Drug Costs
High cost of medicine is voters' top healthcare concernFebruary 1, 2016—The 2016 presidential campaign shifts into high gear tonight, as Iowa voters meet in precinct caucuses to pick delegates for the Republican and Democratic national conventions. … [Read more...]