October 17, 2013—The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) says that, for now, it has no plans to extend the October registration period for enrollment in the 340B program beginning Jan. 1, 2014.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] OPA posted the notice on its 340B database home page this morning, the first day back to work for most federal employees following a 16-day government … [Read more...]
Minnesota Cuts Medicaid Reimbursement for 340B Drugs
State Medicaid agency also issues notice about billing for 340B drugsOctober 16, 2013—Minnesota safety-net health care providers are bracing for a significant reduction in Medicaid fee for service (FFS) reimbursement for 340B drugs starting on Jan. 1.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Under a far-ranging tax bill passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D), beginning next year the state Medicaid program will reimburse 340B drugs … [Read more...]
Proceedings Delayed in 340B Orphan Drug Exclusion Lawsuit
Judge grants government's motion for a pause due to the federal shutdownOctober 11, 2013—A federal district judge has stayed all proceedings in the lawsuit challenging the legality of the 340B orphan drug exclusion regulation for as long as the federal government shutdown continues. [ms-protect-content id="2799"] U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras issued the order yesterday. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) filed … [Read more...]
HRSA Hamstrung as Shutdown Nears Third Week
340B peer-to-peer webinar postponed, recertification webinars may be nextOctober 10, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) canceled a 340B peer-to-peer network webinar yesterday in one of the first visible examples of the federal government shutdown's effect on the 340B program.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] If the 10-day-old shutdown runs into the next two weeks, HRSA probably will have to … [Read more...]
PhRMA Sues to Block 340B Orphan Drug Rule
HRSA redefined the law and ignored congressional direction, group says(UPDATED Oct. 4, 2013 with comment from 340B hospitals.) October 2, 2013—Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) filed suit in federal district court on Sept. 27 to stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from implementing HRSA's regulation setting conditions under which critical … [Read more...]
Government Shutdown Shouldn’t Hamper 340B Enrollment, OPA Says
Online database, which is needed for registration, is expected to remain accessibleOctober 2, 2013—The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) says it believes that 340B stakeholders should be able to continue to use the 340B online database for the duration of the federal government shutdown that began yesterday.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Health care providers need the database to enroll in the drug discount … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley Asks 2 Drug Companies About Denials of 340B Pricing
Seeks answers from CSL Behring and Pacira Pharmaceuticals by Oct. 9September 27, 2013—The Iowa Senator who has been looking into hospitals’ and a large retail pharmacy chain's participation in the 340B drug discount program has sent letters to two drug manufacturers asking why the companies are not providing discounts on particular products.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) sent the letters on Sept. 25 to CSL … [Read more...]