December 23, 2010—The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a second lawsuit against a drug manufacturer for allegedly overcharging it during the first half of 2010 for 340B-discounted drugs. The suit, filed Dec. 21 in federal district court in Los Angeles, claims that Tibotec Therapeutics, a division of Centocor Ortho Biotech Products and, in turn, of Johnson & … [Read more...]
Calif. Counties and Supporters File Briefs in Major U.S. Supreme Court 340B Case
Decisions dating back to the 1600s support providers' right to sue drug firms, they assert.December 22, 2010—Centuries-old legal precedents make it clear that safety-net providers can sue drug manufacturers for allegedly charging them more for medicines than the 340B drug discount program allows, two California counties and their 340B-enrolled medical facilities argue in papers filed with the U.S. Supreme Court last week. Congress decided to use contracts between … [Read more...]
Health Reform’s 340B Provisions Unaffected by Ruling in Virginia Lawsuit
Federal judge declares reform's individual insurance mandate unconstitutionalDecember 16, 2010—A federal district judge's declaration this week that a key part of health care reform is unconstitutional has no immediate or direct effect on reform's expansion and improvement of the 340B drug discount program. Acting in a case filed by Virginia's attorney general, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ruled that Congress lacked authority to require most … [Read more...]
HRSA to Notify Manufacturers and Children’s Hospitals About Orphan Drug Fix
Says it will keep tabs on marketplace to see if any other steps are warranted.December 16, 2010—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) plans to send an email message to drug manufacturers shortly informing them of legislation that President Obama signed last night restoring children's hospitals' ability to buy orphan drugs at 340B-discounted prices. HRSA will also send email messages to children's hospitals and other affected … [Read more...]
Congress Passes Orphan Drug Fix for Children’s Hospitals
Groups vow to press repeal of ban affecting rural and cancer hospitals.December 9, 2010—The U.S. House gave final approval to legislation today reversing the provision in health care reform that denied children's hospitals access to 340B discounts on so-called "orphan drugs" for their patients, many of whom require expensive, long-term or complicated care. The Senate passed the measure late yesterday. President Obama has indicated that he will … [Read more...]
Access our quarterly print newsletter!
The Drug Discount Monitor is now producing an enhanced print edition four times a year. It's replacing our old monthly edition.December 8, 2010—The Drug Discount Monitor is now producing an enhanced print edition four times a year. It's replaced our old monthly newsletter and gives you a compilation of our best recent online articles. Please contact Tom Mirga at tom.mirga@340binformed.associationbreeze.com or 202-552-5853 to let us know if you want to receive the quarterly print edition by mail for a … [Read more...]
Senate to Vote to Lift Orphan Drug Ban for Children’s Hospitals
December 8, 2010—In move that could end months of frustration for 340B children's hospitals, the U.S. Senate will vote later today on a must-pass Medicare bill with a provision that would allow the hospitals to buy so-called orphan drugs at 340B discount prices. The House could vote on the bill as early as tomorrow, Dec. 9, and President Obama may sign it into law as soon as … [Read more...]