AstraZeneca Targeted in New HHS Drug Discount Review Process

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP is accused of unlawfully denying steep discounts to pharmacies in contract with low-income health centers, in one of the first petitions filed with a new HHS dispute resolution board.

Open Door Community Health Centers contends that a recent advisory opinion by the Department of Health and Human Services made clear drugmakers must give these off-site pharmacies the same discounts that providers serving vulnerable populations get under the federal 340B drug pricing program.

AstraZeneca and others recently sued the HHS to strike down the advisory opinion out of fear the administrative dispute resolution board will use it in ...