May 11, 2011— The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) added 150 rural, children's and cancer hospital sites to its 340B covered entity database on April 1—a 50 percent decline from the number added at the start of the previous quarter. Two hundred ninety three rural, children's and cancer hospital sites were added to the database on Jan. 1. Another 599 were added during August … [Read more...]
FTC Staff Approves IVIG Producers’ Merger
Grifols' purchase of Talecris will diminish access at 340B pricing, providers say.May 9, 2011— The intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) manufacturers Grifols and Talecris have signed a consent agreement with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) staff setting the conditions for their proposed merger—a development that 340B covered entities believe will further limit their access to IVIG and the related product albumin at 340B prices. The two companies made … [Read more...]
OMB Clears 340B Patient-Definition Notice for Publication
Guidance document will have a major impact on the program.May 5, 2011— The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has finished reviewing an important draft guidance document that will redefine the term "patient" for purposes of 340B drug discounts. Now that it has been cleared, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) could publish it in the Federal Register at any time. At the same time as it issues the … [Read more...]
CMS Updates Part D and Medicare Advantage Regulations
Rule implements health care reform provision to close the "donut hole".May 5, 2011— The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its regulations for the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs for contact year 2012. The final rule implements many provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as closing the Part D "donut hole" for Medicare beneficiaries. Under the rule, beginning this year … [Read more...]
PSSC Contractor Launches Paid Consulting Service
April 22, 2011 - 340B IQ Institute makes its debut in the wake of OPA's technical assistance cutbacks.April 22, 2011— The federal contractor that runs the Office of Pharmacy Affairs' (OPA) recently downsized technical assistance center has begun offering 340B stakeholders its own suite of paid consulting services. The new 340B IQ Institute is a branch of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), which has been the sole contractor for OPA's Pharmacy Services Support Center … [Read more...]
New Standards Will Make it Easier to Flag Prescriptions’ 340B Status
Providers worry that the change also might make it easier to cut their reimbursement.April 19, 2011—Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and third-party payers will soon be able to flag prescriptions filled with 340B discounted drugs more easily due to new claims submission standards developed by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP). Although the change is expected to please PBMs and payers, hospitals and others that depend on 340B savings … [Read more...]
U.S. House Passes 2012 Budget With Medicaid Block Grants
Vote capped off week dominated by debate over deficit reduction.April 18, 2011—The Republican-led U.S. House approved a fiscal year 2012 budget late last week that would turn Medicaid into a block grant system, a proposal that has the potential to undermine the 340B drug discount program. The April 15 vote came a day after final passage of legislation that keeps the government open through Sept. 30 but reduces total federal spending by … [Read more...]