November 4, 2015—The rising cost of prescription drugs is reaching critical mass at the federal level, with a Senate committee today announcing a bipartisan investigation, top House Democrats today announcing a task force, and the Department of Health and Human Services yesterday announcing a daylong summit later this month. … [Read more...]
Hospitals Say 340B Mega-Guidance Would Undermine Patient Care
HRSA received more than 800 comments by Oct. 27 deadlineOctober 28, 2015—Hospitals and vulnerable patients will suffer if federal health officials finalize proposed 340B drug discount program guidelines in their present form, three major hospital associations say. … [Read more...]
Senators Ask FTC to Investigate Makers of IV Saline Solution
Manufacturers' actions indicate possible collusion to boost profitsOctober 27, 2015—A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether makers of generic intravenous saline solution have colluded to exploit a shortage in order to boost profits. … [Read more...]
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Launches Pro-340B TV Ad Campaign
Spots Will Run for Six Weeks on Fox and CNNOctober 22, 2015 – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation today announced a new television ad campaign aimed at shaming the drug industry and bolstering support for the 340B program in Congress. … [Read more...]
Pro-340B Protesters Picket PhRMA Headquarters
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Activists Wear Pig NosesOctober 22, 2015 -- Chanting “Hey-Hey, ho-ho, pharma greed has got to go!” a group of protesters from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation protested in front of the headquarters building of PhRMA in Washington, DC today. … [Read more...]
HRSA Proposes Changes to 340B Pharmaceutical Pricing Agreement
Collecting public comments until December 21, 2015October 21, 2015 - The Health Resources and Services Administration is seeking public comments about proposed changes to the current Pharmaceutical Pricing Agreement (PPA). … [Read more...]
Court Rules in PhRMA’s Favor on Orphan Drugs
Rejects government argument on using 340B pricing for common disease indicationsA federal court today soundly rejected the Department of Health and Human Service’s interpretation of the 340B statute’s orphan drug exclusion as it relates to providers added to the program in the Affordable Care Act in 2010. The ruling means that rural and cancer hospitals will no longer be able to get 340B pricing on any orphan drug. … [Read more...]