June 20, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) is holding a two-hour webinar for 340B hospitals on June 26 beginning at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) about their need to recertify their eligibility for the drug discount program later this summer. … [Read more...]
Appellate Court Decision May Affect Some Hospitals’ 340B Eligibility
Ruling is yet another twist in dispute over how to calculate disproportionate share adjustment percentageJune 20, 2013—A new federal appellate decision in a dispute over how to calculate safety-net hospitals' Medicare disproportionate share (DSH) adjustment percentages could affect some hospitals’ participation in the 340B drug discount program. … [Read more...]
State Medicaid Agencies Clarify 340B Drug Billing Requirements
Updates circulated in Minnesota, Oregon, and HawaiiJune 12, 2013—Medicaid officials in three states have recently issued provider bulletins clarifying the procedures for billing 340B drugs used for fee for service (FFS) and managed care beneficiaries. … [Read more...]
HRSA Approves Condition on 340B-Priced Neulasta
Says specialty distribution requirement won't affect discounted pricingJune 12, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) says Amgen's decision to sell its biologic drug Neulasta at 340B pricing exclusively through specialty distributors "will not violate the 340B statute," the agency has told both the association representing 340B hospitals and the 340B prime vendor. Neulasta is an expensive, man-made human protein used to … [Read more...]
Bayer Limits Sales of New Contraceptive in Short Supply
Notice says 340B customers will be treated equitablyJune 7, 2013—Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals is limiting distribution of its new intrauterine device (IUD) Skyla due to high demand and productions delays, the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) has announced. Under OPA policy, drug manufacturers can develop a limited allocation plan for 340B covered outpatient drugs when supply is inadequate to meet demand, so long as they … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals Ask Amgen to Withdraw Purchasing Restriction on Drug
All Neulasta at 340B pricing must now be handled through specialty distributorsMay 31, 2013—The group that represents hospitals in the 340B drug discount program has asked the pharmaceutical manufacturer Amgen to withdraw its new requirement that all 340B purchases of the company's drug Neulasta be made exclusively through specialty distribution channels. In a May 30 statement, Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA) said the policy … [Read more...]
Study Suggests VA and DOD Could Negotiate Lower Drug Prices
DOD pays more per unit for generics while VA pays more for brandsMay 31, 2013—The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) are paying different prices for the same prescription drugs, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found. However, the findings may not be that surprising considering the purchasing patterns of the two agencies, GAO researchers found. … [Read more...]