Sharley Chen and Derek Robertson July 27, 2009 - They came to 340B from different angles – he through a non-profit and she the federal government – but both had a profound and lasting impact on the drug discount program. On July 13, Derek Robertson, former executive director and founder of The Hemophilia Alliance, and Sharley Chen, former public health advisor and … [Read more...]
Two 340B Program Advocates Honored at National Conference
Sharley Chen and Derek Robertson July 27, 2009 - They came to 340B from different angles – he through a non-profit and she the federal government – but both had a profound and lasting impact on the drug discount program. On July 13, Derek Robertson, former executive director and founder of The Hemophilia Alliance, and Sharley Chen, former public health advisor and … [Read more...]
340B Legislation Continues to Progress in Congress
July 21, 2009 - The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee (HELP) approved health care reform legislation last week that contains numerous reforms to the 340B Drug Discount Program. The bill would, among other things, extend the 340B discount to the inpatient setting in disproportionate-share hospitals participating in the program, and make free-standing … [Read more...]
Apexus Plans to Expand, Improve Prime Vendor Program
Chris Hatwig Vice President Apexus July 6, 2009 - “All of them.” That’s Chris Hatwig’s recruitment goal as he looks ahead to another five years as head of the government’s 340B Prime Vendor Program. All 340B-covered healthcare facilities should be under Apexus/PVP’s helm, he said, because “anybody who’s not in the program is overpaying for drugs.” And Hatwig has a … [Read more...]
Aventis Pays $95 Million to Settle Repackaging Scheme
July 6, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent settlement with Aventis Pharmaceuticals closed the books on the government’s inquiry into the company’s alleged practice of repackaging anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and selling them at discounted prices never reported to Medicaid. Federal prosecutors said that by entering into “private label sales contracts” with two … [Read more...]
States Seek to Limit 340B Reimbursement Under Medicaid
California, Ohio and Utah are pondering ways to curtail Medicaid reimbursements for 340B providers.July 6, 2009 - Three states are considering steps that would limit Medicaid reimbursement paid to 340B-covered facilities at a time when many such facilities can ill afford cuts. Two of those states, California and Utah, appear set to prohibit 340B-covered facilities from buying their Medicaid drugs outside the 340B program, often referred to as the “Medicaid carve-out.” … [Read more...]
PhRMA’s $80B Offer a Win for Industry and Safety-Net
Drug makers will contribute at least $80 billion toward health reform. But what exactly will the money buy?July 6, 2009 - The drug industry’s decision to chip in $80 billion in prescription drug discounts under healthcare reform included a promise to provide a 50-percent discount on brand-name drugs dispensed during the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or “donut hole.” The proposal earned drug makers big headlines and accolades from patient advocacy groups. Media have since … [Read more...]