Big Changes Are Happening With the 340B Drug Program

Things are drastically changing for covered entities under the 340B program.  In the last 18 months several factors have led the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to ramp up its oversight and auditing of covered entities. Since the 340B drug pricing program was created in 1992 to provide discounted outpatient prescription drugs to qualifying safety net providers serving uninsured and indigent patients, the HRSA has mostly taken a hands-off approach to oversight. That all changed with the passing of the Affordable Care Act, which required the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the 340B program.  At the same time, criticism of the 340B drug program is increasing.  Congress, the GAO, and now a consortium of pharmaceutical, pharmacy, and medical associations are calling for 340B drug program reform.  Providers who administer the 340B drug program need to prepare now to justify their access to and distribution of 340B drugs.