July 6, 2012—More than 1.3 million uninsured adults in Texas and nearly a million in Florida would get no additional help obtaining health coverage under the Affordable Ace Act (ACA) if their states decide not to expand their Medicaid programs as provided for under health care reform, according to new estimates from the Urban Institute Health Policy Center. According to the … [Read more...]
GSK to Pay 340B Providers $20.2 Million to Resolve Best Price Charges
Agreement is part of record-setting $3 billion health care fraud settlement with the U.S. governmentJuly 2, 2012—Drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to repay 340B covered entities a record-setting $20.2 million for overcharges covering the period 1994 through 2003 as part of a $3 billion global health care fraud settlement with the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ). According to the July 2 settlement agreement, DOJ contends that the company used bundled sales … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals Urged to Adopt Code of Conduct
SNHPA asks members and others to follow six principles of responsible stewardshipJune 29, 2012—The association representing hospitals in the 340B drug discount program is urging its 850-plus members and all others enrolled to adopt six principles of responsible program stewardship. The code of conduct drafted by Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA) covers how 340B savings should be used, what charity care should encompass, contract … [Read more...]
U.S. Supreme Court Preserves Health Reform’s 340B Provisions
Justices vote 5-to-4 to largely uphold Affordable Care ActJune 28, 2012—The U.S. Supreme Court's 5-to-4 decision today to largely uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) preserves rural, children's, and cancer hospitals' eligibility to participate in the 340B drug discount program. The Drug Discount Monitor is still analyzing the 193-page decision. … [Read more...]
Octapharma Making IGIV Widely Available at 340B Pricing
Plasma-derived product has been chronically unavailable at a discountJune 28, 2012—Human protein products manufacturer Octapharma USA has announced an initiative to make its octagam 5% immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) therapy for primary immune deficiency widely available to 340B covered entities. "Octapharma is committed to providing therapies to treat life-threatening conditions to all patients, including those who are treated in … [Read more...]
Fla. Lifts Inventory Barrier to 340B Contract Pharmacies
New law will end requirement for physically separate drug stocksJune 21, 2012—Effective July 1, Florida 340B contract pharmacies will no longer have to keep physically separate inventories for 340B and non-340B drugs, under legislation passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Rick Scott (R) this spring. … [Read more...]
Bristol-Myers Squibb Ends Bulk Replenishment for Plavix
Widely-used anti-coagulant came off patent on May 17June 21, 2012—Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMS) patient assistance foundation has notified hospitals that the drug manufacturer's blockbuster anti-coagulant Plavix is no longer available for bulk replenishment. Plavix also is no longer listed on the foundation's Web site among the medications available at no cost to low-income and uninsured individuals. … [Read more...]