December 9, 2013—The federal government is yet again postponing final regulations for the calculation of a drug's average manufacture price (AMP) under the Medicaid drug rebate program. … [Read more...]
No Change in Medicare Part B Drug Payments for 2014
CMS releases hospital outpatient department payment final ruleDecember 4, 2013—Medicare Part B next year will continue paying hospitals for the acquisition and overhead costs of specified high-cost outpatient drugs at the same rate as in 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided. … [Read more...]
AIDS Group Files Third 340B Overcharging Lawsuit
AHF seeks $2 million plus interest from AbbVie and AbbottDecember 3, 2013—The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a third lawsuit—this time, against drug manufacturer AbbVie and its progenitor company Abbott—alleging it was overcharged for HIV/AIDS drugs subject to 340B drug discounts. Abbott and AbbVie became separate companies in January 2013. … [Read more...]
Congress Passes Compounding Pharmacy Oversight Bill
Utilization soared during recent drug shortagesNovember 20, 2013— The U.S. Senate has passed legislation clarifying Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight of compounding pharmacies, clearing it for President Obama's signature. The House passed the bill in July. … [Read more...]
340B Recertification Postponed for STD and TB Clinics and Ryan White Grantees
Annual affirmation of eligibility now scheduled for first quarter 2014November 19, 2013—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) has delayed the start of 340B recertification for sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, tuberculosis (TB) clinics, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS program grantees until the first quarter of 2014. Recertification was scheduled to begin for them yesterday. … [Read more...]
Drug Companies Disbanding Together Rx Access Discount Program
Cardholders "may be better served" by insurance exchanges, Medicaid, and other PAPs, they sayNovember 18, 2013—Eight leading drug manufacturers are pulling the plug on a discount card program used by more than 2 million people who are ineligible for Medicare and have no prescription drug coverage. … [Read more...]
Groups Say Trade Pact Threatens 340B
Letter to Obama warns of limits on prescription drug cost-control mechanismsNovember 15, 2013—Drug-pricing provisions reportedly being advanced by U.S. negotiators for a proposed multilateral trade treaty could subject 340B drug discounts "to challenge by manufacturers," a coalition of health, consumer, labor, and retiree groups says in a recent letter to President Obama. … [Read more...]