October 22, 2015 — Chanting “Hey-Hey, ho-ho, pharma greed has got to go!” a group of protesters from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation protested in front of the headquarters building of PhRMA in Washington, DC today. [ms-protect-content id=”2799″]
Wearing pig noses, some costumes and holding placards, the activists protested a meeting inside in which drug industry lobbyists were holding a briefing about PhRMA’s position on the proposed mega-guidance from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The deadline for public comments is October 27, 2015.
“The 340B program is under constant assault from PhRMA and the drug industry, which will not stop until they have killed or severely handicapped this program,” said Michelle Morgan, AHF’s director of national advocacy campaigns. “Unfortunately, some in Congress and the administration in general seem to be far more concerned about what pharma thinks than in looking out for safety-net providers and their patients.”
The drug industry has been largely supportive of HRSA’s proposed mega-guidance proposal, many of which safety-net providers say would severely limit the program and negatively impact patient care for the underserved.
“Were going to be out there letting pharma know they’re masquerading as 340B advocates,” said Morgan.[/ms-protect-content]