AHA Urges HHS to Take Action Against Drug Manufacturers for Limiting the Distribution of 340B Drugs

AHA expresses concern regarding recent action taken by three major drug manufacturers – Eli Lilly and Co., Merck and Sanofi – to limit the distribution of certain 340B drugs to our hospital members. Eli Lilly has filed its notice to limit the distribution of certain 340B drugs with the Office of Pharmacy Affairs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Merck and Sanofi have directly communicated with our 340B hospital members requesting detailed information about any 340B drugs distributed through the hospital’s contract pharmacy arrangements. The Merck and Sanofi communications explain the purpose of the request is to investigate possible duplicate discounts provided to state Medicaid programs.  We urge HRSA to address these abuses by Merck, Eli Lilly and Sanofi and request they cease this activity and work to ensure that 340B drugs are available and accessible to communities and vulnerable populations.