The 340B program, a federal government policy in the United States which provides significant discounts on prescription drugs to certain healthcare providers, has faced increased restrictions in recent years – placing greater limitations on the ability for these providers to access vital medicines at reasonable prices. These policy shiftings are becoming more and more restrictive, consequently reducing the availability of necessary pharmaceutical benefits for covered entities. This issue has persisted for nearly three years, taking a toll on the traditional “bill to/ship to” contract pharmacy models.
Spearheading efforts to combat these limitations, covered entities and contract pharmacies have shown a notable measure of creativity in the face of such challenges. However, the specifics of exactly how these entities have innovated against restrictions remain largely undisclosed. Despite this, it is clear that the fight against these limiting policies from manufacturers is underway.
Given these ongoing constraints from manufacturers, one may wonder what the future holds for the 340B program, as well as those who depend on it. With policy changes over the years leaning more towards restriction rather than relief, the true implications of these shifts remain to be seen. In the meantime, it merits watching how 340B-participating covered entities and contract pharmacies continue to adapt to these changes.
For more detailed coverage of this issue, please find a full article at Quarles & Brady LLP’s analysis of the ongoing manufacturer restrictions on 340B.