AHA again urges HHS to protect 340B program from drug companies’ actions

Sep 08, 2020 - 02:39 PM
AHA-OIG-letter

The AHA again expressed concern to the Department of Health and Human Services about recent actions taken by several major drug manufacturers to limit the distribution of certain 340B drugs to hospitals. 

While the Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the 340B program, is investigating these activities, AHA urged HHS to take “swift and decisive action to halt these pernicious tactics” to prevent other manufacturers from following suit.

“The drug companies are attempting to exploit for their financial benefit the current COVID-19 health care crisis,” AHA said. “As you are aware, hospitals throughout the nation are under severe stress by the need to prepare for, and/or care for, COVID-19 patients, while coping with the financial damages inflicted by the virus. Therefore, we urge you to act immediately against any drug manufacturer employing these pernicious tactics to ensure that 340B drugs are available and accessible to vulnerable communities.” Read the full letter here.

The AHA has engaged in numerous efforts urging the drug companies to cease these activities and have HHS take action to protect 340B hospitals. See the previous letters the AHA has sent on the issue:

Related News Articles

Headline
District court rules in favor of Tennessee’s 340B contract pharmacy law
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
AHA files amicus brief in second lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s 340B contract pharmacy law 
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
Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Legal Advocacy to Protect Hospitals With AHA General Counsel Chad Golder
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
Judge rules against J&J, for HHS and 340B hospitals in rebate model case
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
AHA report: Hospitals are complying with 340B rules, but drug companies are not 
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
Chair File: The Importance of Legal Advocacy
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…