AstraZeneca Sues HHS Over Advisory Opinion on Drug Discounts

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP is suing the Department of Health and Human Services over a policy push for drugmakers to provide discounts to pharmacies that contract with low-income health centers and hospitals, arguing the approach misrepresents the point of a federal drug pricing program.

HHS General Counsel Robert Charrow issued an advisory opinion in December requiring drug manufacturers to give the same substantial discounts provided to institutions serving vulnerable populations under the 340B program to their contract pharmacies. AstraZeneca on Tuesday asked a Delaware federal court to invalidate the opinion, claiming it “has caused, and is continuing to cause, substantial harm.” ...