Former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) September 23, 2009 - The nation could be entering a historic turning point as lawmakers seek to transform nearly one-fifth of the nation's economy, former Senator and Health Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle told the national Medicaid Drug Rebate Program conference in Chicago on Tuesday. Equally historic, he said is the fact that all … [Read more...]
Donut Hole Patched, Rebates Hiked in Latest Reform Bill
Sen. Max Baucus' $865-billion health care reform proposal could bring new drug savings for safety-net providers and Medicaid. It also requires manufacturers to contribute billions toward a system overhaul.Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) September 18, 2009 - Sen. Max Baucus, chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, presented hisproposal for overhauling the nation's health care system Wednesday. As expected, the $865-billion plan included several provisions that will have a direct or indirect impact on players in the 340B drug discount program. Legislation to extend … [Read more...]
Children’s Hospitals in 340B, but Retroactive Discounts Denied
New applicants face more documentation and tougher rules on rebate discounts. Millions of dollars in savings could be lost.September 11, 2009 - After more than a two-year delay, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued final guidelines on Sept. 1 to let free-standing children's hospitals participate in the 340B program. The change, eagerly anticipated by safety-net providers serving indigent children, is effective immediately. But the new rules severely curtail the … [Read more...]
OIG Opinion Could Boost Bulk PAP Programs
It's now in writing: An institutional patient assistance program with the proper safeguards does not violate federal law.September 11, 2009 - Safety-net providers know only too well the challenges of implementing and maintaining patient assistance programs (PAPs), designed to help indigent Americans access much-needed drugs. So they were encouraged to learn of a recent legal opinion stating - hopefully once and for all - that so-called bulk PAPs are not a violation of the federal … [Read more...]
Baucus Health Care Reform “Framework” Hits PhRMA Hard
The Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee is seeking additional concessions from manufacturers in his health reform bill. And he's not wasting time to get his bill finished.Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) September 10, 2009 - The latest health care reform proposal that Sen. Max Baucus circulated to his Senate colleagues Tuesday appears to hit the pharmaceutical industry significantly harder than did the deal the Montana Democrat negotiated with PhRMA in early summer. The Monitor obtained a copy of the document titled “Framework for … [Read more...]
Harkin To Lead Key Senate Health Committee
The Iowa Democrat will have an important hand in 340B policy issues and in funding for the Office of Pharmacy Affairs.Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) September 10, 2009 - Sen. Tom Harkin is the new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, also known as the HELP Committee. The Iowa Democrat replaces the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died last month after a long illness. The HELP Committee has jurisdiction over the 340B drug discount program and in July … [Read more...]
340B Providers Left Out of $2.3B Pfizer Settlement
Pfizer's record deal with federal prosecutors offers nil to Public Health Service entities. Some wonder why.September 9, 2009 - After being awarded damages in a string of high-profile health fraud settlements, 340B participants were side-stepped in Pfizer's record deal with the federal government – a signal that Public Health Service (PHS) providers cannot count on being included in legal settlements involving off-label use of drugs. Indeed, unlike cases that involved violations … [Read more...]