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340B Sales Totaled $7.5 Billion in 2013, Apexus Says

New figure indicates 340B's share of total U.S. drug sales is roughly 2% 

February 14, 2014—Pharmaceutical purchases through the 340B discount program were an estimated $7.5 billion in 2013, the 340B Prime Vendor Program (PVP) reports. Overall U.S. spending on pharmaceutical products in 2012, the most recent year for which data are available, stood at $326 billion, according to IMS Health Informatics Institute. Together, that figure and the new … [Read more...]

HRSA Issuing Regulation on 340B Rebates for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs

Announcement raises questions about 2005 policy guidance 

February 13, 2014—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) plans to propose a rule that will address the extent to which state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) can collect full 340B rebates from drug manufacturers when the ADAPs pay premiums, copayments, and deductibles on health insurance that they may buy for ADAP clients.[ms-protect-content … [Read more...]

GAO Study Doesn’t Cite Drug Discounts as a Major Factor in Shortages

At hearing, some lawmakers indicate they will keep pressing the matter 

February 11, 2014—Halts or slowdowns in manufacturing to address quality problems are the leading immediate cause of drug shortages, especially among generic sterile injectable products, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded in a long awaited report yesterday. It recommended that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthen its internal controls over its … [Read more...]

OPA Focusing on 340B Drug Pricing Transparency and Accuracy

Pedley describes various initiatives in talk to stakeholders 

February 7, 2014—The Health Resources and Services (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) is developing ways to improve 340B pricing transparency and accuracy by drug manufacturers, OPA Director Cmdr. Krista Pedley said yesterday during the 340B Coalition winter conference in San Diego. Pedley addressed the gathering of more than 900 stakeholders remotely from HRSA … [Read more...]

“Vigilant” 340B Contract Pharmacy Oversight Is Critical, Pedley Says

OPA director issued statement in Washington and spoke via video at 340B conference in San Diego 

February 6, 2014—Contract pharmacies "can enable 340B covered entities to expand the type and volume of care they provide to vulnerable patient populations," the director of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy (OPA) said today in a public statement, but audits have shown that entities' oversight of contract pharmacies "did not always meet … [Read more...]

OIG Issues Report on 340B Contract Pharmacy

Says findings suggest "lack of clarity" about patient definition 

February 5, 2014—Hospitals and health care centers vary in how they ensure compliance with 340B requirements for prescriptions filled at contract pharmacies, leading to different decisions about patient eligibility, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector concludes today in a much-anticipated report.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] The report also found … [Read more...]