STATEMENT ON HRSA ORDERING DRUG COMPANIES TO RESTORE 340B DISCOUNTS ON DRUGS DISPENSED AT COMMUNITY PHARMACIES
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) today ordered six pharmaceutical companies to restore 340B drug pricing program discounts to covered entities on drugs dispensed at community-based pharmacies and to repay affected providers for past overcharges. The following statement is attributed to 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni:
“Today’s action by the Health Resources & Services Administration is an emphatic defense of the 340B drug pricing program and the thousands of safety-net hospitals, health centers, and clinics serving millions of Americans with low incomes and those in rural communities. As we have been saying for nearly a year, the 340B statute requires drug manufacturers participating in the program to provide discounted prices to support the care of patients. The denial of these discounts has damaged providers and patients and must stop. It is vital that these companies immediately begin to repay the millions of dollars owed to these providers.”
“We thank Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Acting HRSA Administrator Diana Espinosa, and HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) Director Krista Pedley for their leadership and commitment to the safety net and the patients it serves.”
“The 340B community has been united in its opposition to these dangerous actions and must be applauded for its months of advocacy. We also thank the members of Congress, governors, state attorneys general, and other leaders for their support. 340B is, and always has been, a bipartisan program designed to support the safety net so that patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks receive the care and compassion they need and deserve.”
Contact: Richard Sorian at richard.sorian@340bhealth.org or 202-536-2285.