The Department of Health and Human Services today proposed delaying to July 1, 2019 the effective date of its final rule on 340B drug ceiling prices and civil monetary penalties for manufacturers. In the proposal, HHS says it is in the process of developing policies to address drug pricing in government programs, including the 340B program, and “the Department believes it would be counterproductive to effectuate the final rule prior to issuance of additional or alternative rulemaking on these issues.” HHS will accept comments on the proposed rule for 15 days. In a statement, AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels said, "Given the skyrocketing prescription drug price increases that have presented hospitals and health systems and patients with remarkable challenges, the 340B program is as critical as ever in helping expand and improve access to comprehensive health care services for vulnerable patients and communities. We are once again very disappointed in this proposed delay of the 340B ceiling price and civil monetary penalties rule, especially considering that HRSA began rulemaking on this issue more than seven years ago. While we appreciate that the Administration has stated a commitment to tackling high drug prices, these multiple delays are unjustified given the exhaustive rule development process that has already occurred. We urge the agency to implement this final rule without any further delay to shine needed light on drug company price increases. The irony is not lost on us that drug companies continue to push for increased reporting for hospitals and others while resisting any transparency on their part.”

Related News Articles

Headline
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee June 30 denied a motion for a preliminary injunction by AbbVie in its lawsuit against the state’s…
Headline
The AHA June 27 filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee that defends the state’s 340B contract pharmacy law…
Chairperson's File
Public
Advocacy is a core part of the work of the AHA, protecting and sustaining what hospitals and health systems need to truly care for our communities. We often…
Headline
A U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia judge June 27 ruled against Johnson & Johnson and sided with the Department of Health and Human Services…
Headline
The AHA June 16 released a report showing hospitals that participated in the 340B Drug Pricing Program are not only subject to disproportionately greater…
Chairperson's File
Public
Advocacy is such an important part of what we do as hospitals and health systems — and what the AHA does on behalf of our field — to help ensure that we get…