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...]
What Healthcare Reform Could Mean for Safety-Net Community
Reform is in the air. Learn how the various proposals could affect 340B stakeholders.July 6, 2009 - As the debate over how to best implement healthcare reform heated up in late June, it was becoming increasingly clear to stakeholders in the safety-net world that whatever the final legislation may look like, it could have a profound impact on providers and manufacturers that serve low-income and uninsured patients. Here’s a snapshot of some of the measures … [Read more...]
340B Reform a Priority for U.S. Senate
There’s new impetus for 340B improvements this year. Lawmakers are well aware.July 6, 2009 - Momentum to strengthen the 340B drug discount program grew in June when the Senate rolled out S. 1239, the 340B Improvement and Integrity Act of 2009, and promptly included language from the bill in health reform legislation that President Obama has told Congress he wants on his desk by the end of the year. The legislation introduced by Senators Jeff Bingaman … [Read more...]
OPA Funding Paves Way for 340B Program Improvements
The Office of Pharmacy Affairs is gearing up for database improvement now that there’s finally money in the budget.By Karin Rives Jim Mitchell Director Office of Pharmacy Affairs June 26, 2009 - Jimmy Mitchell and his staff at Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) have reason to celebrate this year. A few months ago, they received $1.47 million to begin tackling system shortcomings that, most everyone agrees, compromise the integrity of the federal 340B drug discount … [Read more...]
Updated! Judge Denies Class Certification in Santa Clara 340B Case
Santa Clara County has no class-action case—for now. But the court gave the drug overcharging case some valuable time.By Stuart Gordon and Karin Rives June 5, 2009 - When a federal judge denied Santa Clara County’s request to include some 1,400 California 340B-covered providers in its high-profile drug overcharging case, he may have bought the plaintiffs valuable time to strengthen their case. But his ruling was also an acknowledgement of the lawsuit’s complexity and lack of precedent. … [Read more...]