Prescription drug sales through the 340B program totaled $38 billion in calendar year 2020, representing 7.2% of overall U.S. sales of $528 billion, Drug Channels blog reports. Drug Channels is run by pharmaceutical manufacturer consultant Adam Fein, a leading critic of the 340B program, particularly of hospitals and contract pharmacies participating in the program.
Drug Channels obtained the data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA, in its fiscal year 2022 budget request released in late May, reported that in 2019 total sales in the 340B program were approximately $29 billion, representing an estimated 6 percent of the total U.S. drug market.
Hospital trade group 340B Health and some independent researchers make the case that 340B discounts, not sales, is the best way to measure the size of the 340B program because the figure represents the total amount of money manufacturers provide in discounts to 340B covered entities.
Drug Channels also reported that, based on its own data analysis, as of this month there were 29,971 unique pharmacy locations acting as 340B contract pharmacies. These locations had more than 140,000 contractual relationships with more than 8,000 covered entities, the blog said. In July 2020, the blog identified 27,928 unique pharmacy locations acting as 340B contract pharmacies, with more than 112 contractual relations with more than 8,000 covered entities.
Drug Channels said 7,944 Walgreens locations, 5,443 CVS locations, 2,904 Walmart locations, and 1,470 Rite Aid locations currently act as 340B contract pharmacies.
