Drug Discount Plan Lacks Level Playing Field, Manufacturers Say

The Biden administration’s attempt to resolve price fights in the 340B drug discount program will take some finessing, if the feedback from the pharmaceutical industry is considered.

Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act is a drug pricing program that requires drugmakers to discount drugs for qualifying hospitals, clinics, and providers that treat low-income and uninsured patients. The rule was controversial and manufacturers began limiting access of discounted drugs to contract pharmacies that providers use.

Congress instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to create an administrative dispute resolution rule for the program when it passed the Affordable ...