Title
Welcome and Opening Remarks, The State of 340B, and Updates From HRSA
Room/Location
Maryland Ballroom A-D
Description
The 340B community is facing significant challenges on numerous fronts. Drug company restrictions on access to 340B pricing via contract pharmacies have caused significant problems for covered entities that already have been under great stress, negatively impacting providers’ ability to care for patients in need. Several large pharmaceutical manufacturers as well as the national pharmaceutical manufacturer association are actively working to impose additional restrictions on 340B eligibility and access. These issues have reached some of the nation’s highest courts and gained the attention of key lawmakers. Congress has held several hearings this year featuring debates over 340B policy, and bills that would impose new government audit and reporting requirements on 340B entities have passed out of a key House committee are working their way through the legislative process. 340B has gained more attention and is facing more scrutiny than ever on Capitol Hill, in statehouses, and in the media. These developments are concerning, but they also provide new opportunities for the 340B community to demonstrate how vital their program savings are to caring for patients in need. These efforts include advocating for 340B with elected officials, telling stories of patients benefiting from 340B, and contributing to research showing the effectiveness of 340B.
The opening session will feature a status report on all the major 340B developments since our previous conference, discussion of the myriad challenges the community faces, and information on how we are tackling these issues together. It also will feature important updates from a senior government official in charge of implementing 340B and setting compliance expectations for 340B covered entities and drug companies.
Learning Objectives:
- Review where 340B issues stand in Washington, in state legislatures, and in federal courts
- Analyze how recent developments are affecting the 340B community and how they might affect providers and patients going forward
- Summarize recent developments by the federal government to oversee 340B