Editors' note: This is the second in a series of articles on 340B stakeholders' reactions to an important proposed regulation to implement health care reform's limit on rural and free-standing cancer hospitals' access to 340B pricing on orphan drugs. In this installment, we focus on the drug industry's perspectives. August 11, 2011—A proposed federal regulation that would … [Read more...]
Hospitals and Lawmakers Back Proposed 340B Orphan Drug Exclusion Rule
HRSA's regulation reflects congressional intent and would improve access to needed drugs, they say.Editors' note: This is the last in a series of articles on 340B stakeholders' reactions to an important proposed regulation to implement health care reform's limit on rural and free-standing cancer hospitals' access to 340B pricing on orphan drugs. In this installment, we focus on the perspectives of two key lawmakers involved in drafting the orphan drug discount exception and … [Read more...]
Safety-Net Providers Ask NCPDP to Modify 340B Standards
Safeguards sought to protect them against reduced reimbursement.August 2, 2011—Health care providers enrolled in the 340B drug discount program will appeal in person next week to a National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) work group to change its standards so that pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and private payers cannot use them to lower reimbursement for 340B retail drugs. Groups representing hospitals, hemophilia … [Read more...]
Deficit Reduction Plan Cast Shadow Over Federal Health Programs
OPA's appropriation likely to be frozen or reduced.August 2, 2011—Federal Medicare reimbursement to health care providers, payments to state Medicaid programs, and spending to administer the 340B drug discount program could be significantly curtailed under a 10-year deficit reduction bill that President Obama signed into law today. The Senate voted 74-26 to approve the bill this morning after the House passed it 269-161 the … [Read more...]
House Bill Would Add Inpatient Drugs to 340B, Lift Orphan Drug Discount Ban
Companion measure is expected to be introduced in the Senate.July 28, 2011—Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. House late yesterday to expand 340B drug discounts to the inpatient setting and lift the restriction on rural and free-standing cancer hospitals' access to 340B pricing on orphan drugs. The 340B Improvement Act of 2011 (H.R. 2674), sponsored by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Jo Ann … [Read more...]
340B Hospitals Say They Can Comply with Orphan Drug Exclusion Rule
Monitor will report soon on others stakeholders' comments on proposed regulation.Editors' note: The federal government has begun releasing public comments on an important proposed regulation to implement health care reform's limit on rural and free-standing cancer hospitals' access to 340B pricing on orphan drugs. This is the first in a series of articles on 340B stakeholders' reactions to the proposed rule. Check back with the Monitor in the coming days … [Read more...]
340B Patient Definition Guidance Is Back Under Review
Unclear if it will be published this year, Pedley says.July 19, 2011—The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) proposed redefinition of the term "patient" for purposes of 340B discounts is "still under review" and could remain so for quite some time, Office of Pharmacy Affairs Director Krista Pedley announced last week during the 340B Coalition annual conference in Washington. Noting that she is … [Read more...]