Sanofi, Eli Lilly Pile on Challenges to HHS’s Drug Discount Push

Lawsuits are piling up against an HHS advisory opinion that drugmakers must provide steep discounts to pharmacies in contract with low-income health providers.

Eli Lilly and Co., Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP are asking federal courts to strike down an opinion that calls on drug manufacturers to give contract pharmacies the same discounts they provide to health institutions under the 340B drug pricing program.

The opinion, by Department of Health and Human Services General Counsel Robert Charrow, isn’t legally binding. But companies allege it’s unlawful and puts them on the hook for honoring a practice they ...