ASTELLAS RESTRICTING 340B DISCOUNTS FOR COSTLY PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PHARMACIES
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The drug company Astellas has announced that it will cut off access to 340B discounts to safety-net hospitals through community and specialty pharmacy partners on one of its costliest products to treat prostate cancer. When the new policy takes effect Sept. 1, Astellas will become the 24th drugmaker to impose such 340B pricing restrictions.
The following statement is attributed to 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni:
“We are deeply disappointed with the big pharma companies that are skirting their legal requirements by restricting access to critical discounts on life-saving medicines. The actions by Astellas’ leadership demonstrates a complete disregard for those in need and the providers who serve them. The wholesale price for Xtandi can run up to $180,000 per patient per year. By cutting off access to discounts on this costly drug, Astellas is depriving hospitals of crucial resources they need to care for their patients, including those living with prostate cancer.”
“It is important to recognize that the 340B program provides 77% of Medicaid care and 67% of the nation’s unpaid hospital care, making it an indispensable resource for America’s health care safety net. Without these crucial resources, our nation’s health care system will suffer irreparable damage. As we await decisions from two federal appeals courts, we remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to advocate for the protection of 340B and urge the Biden administration to vigorously defend its interpretation of the 340B law.”
The drugmakers with 340B pricing restrictions are AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bausch Health, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Exelixis, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Organon, Pfizer, Sanofi, Teva, UCB, and United Therapeutics.
Contact: Jon Tilton at jon.tilton@340bhealth.org or 202-536-2285