Drugmakers Take Own Steps to Narrow Drug Discount Program (1)

AstraZeneca, Novartis, and other drugmakers are moving to rein in a federal drug discount program worth billions as hospitals and pharmacies struggle to hold onto savings.

The program, known as 340B, requires drug companies to offer steep discounts on their products to hospitals with primarily low-income patients. Patients can also get the discounts at multiple pharmacies as long as they are associated with the 340B hospital.

AstraZeneca PLC will limit discounts to the hospitals themselves and only one pharmacy per 340B facility, the company said this week. And starting Oct. 1, Novartis will require 340B facilities to submit drug claims ...