Articles by : Ron Shinkman,

Parties at Center of Contract Pharmacy Standoff React to HHS OIG Referral

September 23, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

HRSA's decision to refer six drug manufacturers to the HHS OIG has elicited a variety of reactions.

The decision by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to refer six drug manufacturers to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department of the Office of The Inspector General (HHS OIG) for refusing to offer 340B discounts to

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With Delta Variant Persisting, Health Care Groups Struggle with Conference Planning

September 23, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

Many health care organizations are reconsidering plans for in-person conferences as a result of the Delta variant. The 340B Coalition is polling potential attendees regarding their preferences for the its winter conference in late January.

After an initial burst of optimism earlier this year, some health care organizations are having second thoughts about large in-person events for the remainder of 2021 and the start of the new year. However, some groups including the 340B Coalition

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Hospitals Urge CMS To Abandon Medicare Part B Cuts While PhRMA Presses For More Action

September 23, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

Hospital trade groups have lodged strong objections to CMS's proposal to maintain deep Medicare Part B reimbursement cuts, while PhRMA is suggesting even further 340B reforms.

Hospital trade groups are lodging strong objections to maintaining steep cuts in Medicare Part B drug reimbursement as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 final rule for the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS), while the trade group for brand

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Breaking: HRSA Refers Six Drug Companies to HHS OIG For Refusing to Offer Discounts

September 22, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

HRSA has referred six drug manufacturers to the HHS Office of Inspector General for refusing to offer 340B discounts in the contract pharmacy setting.

The U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) today referred six drug manufacturers to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department of the Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) regarding their refusal to offer 340B discounts to 340B covered

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U.S. Supreme Court Schedules Oral Arguments on 340B Reimbursement Case

September 21, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case over Medicare-related 340B cuts to hospitals surprised many observers. Oral arguments are scheduled for Nov. 30, with a decision not likely until the spring.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced the cases it will take up this fall and 340B will be on the plate. The court recently posted its hearings schedule for the months of October through December and will hear oral

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“The Biggest Crisis Since 340B’s Inception:” 340B Report Leader Provides Input in New Podcast

September 21, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

In a new podcast, 340B Report Publisher and CEO Ted Slafsky provides input on key 340B challenges as well as some predictions.

The dispute with pharmaceutical firms over the use of contract pharmacies for 340B covered entities is the biggest crisis facing the program since its inception in the early 1990s, 340B Report Publisher and CEO Ted Slafsky tells “The Future of

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North Carolina Enacts PBM Oversight Law Protecting Most 340B Covered Entities

September 21, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) recently signed into law a new bill that gives some 340B covered entities protection from so-called discriminatory reimbursement cuts and restrictive contracting terms. Photo credit: Gov. Roy Cooper's office via Twitter.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) signed into law yesterday a bill that imposes greater oversight of pharmacy benefit managers and protects most categories of 340B entities from so called discriminatory reimbursement and contracting practices. Disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), children’s

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As Hospital Recertification Deadline Nears, 340B Eligibility Challenges Appear Not to Be Widespread for Now

September 10, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on hospitals’ eligibility for 340B could become an issue beginning later this year, industry observers say.

With the deadline for hospitals to recertify their eligibility for 340B drug discounts arriving on Monday, it appears most facilities will remain qualified—at least for now.

Industry observers say the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on hospitals’ eligibility for 340B could become

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Genentech Notifies 340B Entities of Limited Distribution of Key COVID-19 Drug

September 2, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

Genentech notified 340B entities this week that it is running out of Actemra IV (tocilizumab)—a key tool in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Biopharmaceutical manufacturer Genentech notified 340B entities this week that it is running out of Actemra IV (tocilizumab)—a key tool in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It told entities they will be subject to the same allocation procedures as other buyers.

The

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Congress Tweaks its Projection of Drug Pricing Bills’ Impact on Rx Drug Pipeline

August 31, 2021 Ron Shinkman Views

Passing a federal law to stem rising drug prices would have a modest effect on the U.S. prescription drug pipeline, a new CBO analysis finds.

Passing a federal law that trims drug industry profits on companies’ top products by between 15% and 25% would lead to about 2 fewer drugs (-0.5%) being introduced in the U.S. in the law’s first decade, 23 fewer (-5%) in

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