December 19, 2012—The biotechnology company Amgen agreed today to a $762 million global settlement with the federal government that encompasses claims that the company knowingly misreported best prices and average manufacturer prices (AMPs) for several of its drugs. A federal district judge in Brooklyn, N.Y., accepted a guilty plea by Amgen for illegally introducing a … [Read more...]
Hatwig Named President of Apexus
Promotion part of restructuring of 340B prime vendor contractorDecember 7, 2012—The governing board of Apexus, the federal contractor that manages the 340B prime vendor, has elevated Chris Hatwig to the new position of President. Hatwig, Apexus' top executive since its founding in 2004, previously had the title of Vice President.[ms-protect-content id="2799"] Apexus is a subsidiary of Provista, the group purchasing organization … [Read more...]
Nine 340B Provider Audits Completed, OPA Director Says
Meanwhile, first-ever 340B audit of a drug manufacturer is set to beginDecember 6, 2012—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has closed nine of the 51 program integrity audits of 340B covered entities it conducted during 2012, the director of the agency's 340B office said during a major pharmacy conference this week. During a session at the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Conference in Las Vegas, … [Read more...]
340B Advocate Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Announces Retirement
Co-sponsored bipartisan bills to expand and reform drug discount programDecember 3, 2012—Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), a leading advocate of expanding and improving the 340B drug discount program, announced that she will retire from Congress in February. The 16-year veteran lawmaker is an original co-sponsor of the 340B Program Improvement Act (H.R. 2674), which in addition to extending 340B discounts to the hospital inpatient setting would lift … [Read more...]
HRSA Notifies 340B Health Centers About Upcoming Recertification
Officials advised to verify and update their enrollment information earlyDecember 3, 2012—The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has sent emails to community health centers formally notifying them that recertification of their eligibility for 340B drug discounts will begin in January. HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), which oversees the federal health center program, sent the messages about the recertification … [Read more...]
Drug Shortage Bill Would Stem 340B Discounts Through 2020
Exemption would raise drug costs without easing shortfalls, hospitals warnNovember 30, 2012—Legislation that aims to address drug shortages by exempting manufacturers from providing 340B discounts on certain pharmaceuticals has been introduced in the U.S. House. Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, introduced the Patient Access to Drugs in Shortage Act (H.R. 6611) late … [Read more...]
GAO Asked to Study GPOs’ Possible Role in Drug Shortages
House Democrats' request spurred by meningitis outbreak linked to tainted drugsNovember 19, 2012—Six influential House Democrats have asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate whether group purchasing organization (GPO) contracting practices have caused drug shortages that, in turn, have forced hospitals and other providers to rely on compounding pharmacies to obtain medicines at reasonable cost. The Nov. 15 request came amid … [Read more...]