HRSA

The 340B Program’s New Rebate Pilot Won’t Fix Its Problems

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was designed to help safety net providers serve low-income patients, but it has since ballooned into a multibillion-dollar system dominated by large health systems — with a major lack of transparency about how savings are used to benefit patients. As HRSA launches a new rebate-based model meant to boost oversight, experts warned that it could instead burden smaller providers and fail to address the program’s deeper flaws.

By Katie Adams

Policy

HRSA Commits $52M to Health Centers Supporting People Leaving Incarceration

The Health Resources and Services Administration is making a $52 million investment in 54 health centers to support the health needs of those leaving incarceration.

By Marissa Plescia

The Mechanics of a More Connected Healthcare Ecosystem [Video]

Arbiter’s Anjali Jameson on hospital and payer alignment.

By Arbiter and MedCity News

BioPharma, Hospitals, Pharma

Johnson & Johnson Takes the 340B Drug Rebate Fight to Federal Court

Johnson & Johnson is suing the federal agencies overseeing the 340B program that makes discounted medicines more accessible to uninsured and underserved patients. J&J contends the Health Resources Services Administration can’t legally oppose its plan to implement a new rebate plan for certain 340B drugs.

By Frank Vinluan

BioPharma, Pharma

J&J Backs Down From 340B Rebates, But Maintains They’re ‘Legally Permissible’ Per Statute

Johnson & Johnson stopped short of implementing its proposal to alter the way two drugs are paid for under the 340B drug discount program, but the drugmaker made it clear it still wants changes. In other recent regulatory news, we have drug approvals, clinical holds, and one product withdrawal.

By Frank Vinluan

BioPharma, Hospitals

J&J’s Change to 340B Discounts is “Inconsistent” with Statute, HRSA Says

Johnson & Johnson announced last week a major change in the way it offers 340B pricing for two medications. The change is "inconsistent" with the 340B statute, according to HRSA.

By Marissa Plescia

MedCity Influencers

How Covered Entities and Pharma Companies Can Better Collaborate on Drug Discount Programs

Three things drug manufacturers and CEs can do to build trust and enable effective collaboration

By Daryl Todd

Balancing the Role of Physicians and AI [Video]

At the ViVE conference in LA, Smarter Technologies Chief Medical Officer Ruben Amarasingham MD talked with Katie Adams about the company's larger goals for AI: to improve the accuracy of data and make healthcare less burdensome for physicians and clinicians.

By Smarter Technologies and MedCity News

Hospitals

Feds expected to scrutinize Covid-era payments to providers

Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other providers collected billions in government aid during the pandemic. Federal auditors may soon come knocking to ensure the money was spent correctly.

By Joel Berg

BioPharma

In fight over drug discounts, HHS lawyer sides with hospitals

Prominent drug companies have said they want to curb waste and abuse in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. But the top lawyer at HHS is echoing the criticism hospitals have been leveling against the drug companies over access to the program.

By Joel Berg

Legal, BioPharma

Hospitals sue drug companies over discount program

The lawsuit follows action by at least a half-dozen drug companies to rein in what they see as waste and abuse in the program, overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, the Hospital plaintiffs have a potentially powerful ally in the person picked to head the department under the incoming Biden administration.

By Joel Berg