October 18, 2010—The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General's (OIG) says it will investigate next year whether the federal government is getting its fair share of 340B-related savings received by Medicare Part D drug benefit sponsors. It will also issue findings from a review already underway of state Medicaid policies and oversight activities … [Read more...]
New Report Sizes Up GPOs’ Codes of Conduct
Impacts vary among organizations and their customers and vendors, GAO concludes.October 15, 2010—Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) have made their business practices more transparent in response to recent congressional criticism, but the effects of those changes vary among the organizations, their customers and their vendors, according toa new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. Many hospitals and other health care providers buy drugs … [Read more...]
Judge Halts Santa Clara Proceedings Pending U.S. Supreme Court Decision
Justices will hear oral arguments no sooner than mid-January.October 15, 2010—A federal district judge in San Francisco has halted proceedings in a pivotal 340B lawsuit pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision on whether 340B providers have the right to sue drug manufacturers for alleged overcharges. As previously reported in the Monitor, the High Court has decided to review a federal appellate court decision recognizing covered … [Read more...]
PVP Participants Sharing $4.5 Million in Credits
340B prime vendor's shareback this year is the biggest thus far.October 15, 2010—More than 1,700 340B/Prime Vendor Program (PVP) participants are sharing $4.5 million in credits to their 340B drug purchasing wholesale accounts this year as a benefit of doing business with the 340B group purchasing entity. Apexus Inc., the nonprofit corporation that runs PVP under a federal contract, announced its third – and largest – revenue shareback … [Read more...]
OIG Offers Providers and Manufacturers Guidance on PAPs and Charitable Contributions
Aid for brain tumor patients and contributions for using scheduling service win approval.October 4, 2010—The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued new guidance to health care providers and drug manufacturers on patient assistance programs (PAPs) and also on charitable contributions made on providers' behalf for using a marketer's service. In an August 20 advisory opinion, OIG advised a nonprofit charitable … [Read more...]
Nearly All Drug Firms Agree To Provide 50% Price Cuts on Part D Pharmaceuticals
Cuts are a key component of effort to close "donut hole" by 2020.October 1, 2010—Virtually all of the nation's drug manufacturers have agreed to cut the cost of covered brand-name drugs and biologics in half for enrollees in Medicare Part D's infamous "donut hole" beginning next year. Drug companies had until Sept. 1 to sign agreements to give the 50 percent discounts in order to be reimbursed by Part D in 2011. The Centers for Medicare … [Read more...]
OPA Budget Remains Stuck for Now at $2.2 Million
Congress approves short-term FY 2011 spending bill before closing shop for election.October 1, 2010—Despite the Office of Pharmacy Affairs' (OPA) hopes for a significant budget increase, Congress passed stopgap spending legislation yesterday that keeps the 340B office's funding at its $2.2 million fiscal 2010 level. The legislation, called a continuing resolution, keeps the federal government afloat through Dec. 3. Congress returns for a post-election lame … [Read more...]