January 26, 2011—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) has published guidance on its Web site that appears to modify its position on the use of 340B-purchased drugs for discharge prescriptions. Hospitals enrolled in 340B say that OPA technical assistance contractors have been telling them that, per OPA policy, 340B drugs may not be used for patients whose only connection with … [Read more...]
HRSA Readies New 340B Patient Definition for Publication
Guidance will have a major effect on how drug discounts can be used.January 26, 2011—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has sent the White House a new definition of "patient" for purposes of 340B drug discounts for review prior to its publication in the Federal Register. According to an agency spokesperson, HRSA also intends to formally withdraw its controversial January 2007 proposed patient definition, which provider … [Read more...]
House Passes Symbolic Bill to Repeal Health Care Reform
GOP might be targeting HRSA for cost savings and reorganization.January 21, 2011—As was widely expected, the GOP-controlled U.S. House voted 245 to 189 this week to repeal last year's health care reform law and directed four committees yesterday to begin work on a replacement. The Democratic-controlled Senate has vowed to block the repeal bill and President Obama has likewise vowed to veto it should it reach his desk. The resolution … [Read more...]
Nation’s Highest Court Hears Major 340B Drug Overcharging Case
Justices appear skeptical of providers' claim that they possess a right to sue.January 20, 2011—Attorneys for major drug manufacturers, the federal government and two California counties faced hard questions at the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday as the justices tried to tease out whether Congress intended to give 340B providers the right to sue drug companies for alleged overcharges or whether, in the absence of such intent, the providers possess that right … [Read more...]
Public-Hospital Leader Larry Gage Announces Retirement
Advocated safety-net hospitals' inclusion in 340B program.January 19, 2011—Larry S. Gage, who founded the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH) in 1981 and has served for 30 years as NAPH's president, has announced he will retire from the position on July 1. Bruce Siegel M.D., who joined NAPH last October as the association's first chief executive officer, will assume the title of president. Gage was … [Read more...]
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Mailing Settlement Checks to 340B Providers
Providers given 180 days to cash checks or risk forfeiture to U.S. treasury.January 19, 2011—Mylan Pharmaceuticals has mailed checks to 340B covered entities in accordance with its October 2009 settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over allegations that it misclassified authorized generic drugs between 2000 and 2004 for purposes of Medicaid rebates and 340B drug discounts. The settlement also included Mylan's UDL Laboratories subsidiary. Under … [Read more...]
Hospital Groups Challenge Denial of Retroactive 340B Discounts
Policy is at odds with congressional intent and HRSA's past guidance, they say.January 19, 2011—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs' (OPA) decision that rural hospitals cannot seek 340B drug discounts on purchases between Jan. 1, 2010 and their enrollment in the program contradicts congressional intent and the office's own past guidance, three hospital groups maintained in a Jan. 11 letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Safety … [Read more...]