A federal district judge in Washington, D.C., yesterday scheduled an Oct. 12 joint hearing on pending motions in drug manufacturers’ Novartis and United Therapeutics’ 340B contract pharmacy lawsuits.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich is assigned to both cases. In July, the parties in both consented to consolidate consideration of their lawsuits. Both companies are challenging the federal government’s May 17 findings that the companies’ restrictions on 340B pricing when covered entities use contract pharmacies violate the 340B statute and have resulted in overcharges.
Both companies are challenging the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) findings and seeking preliminary injunctions barring HRSA from enforcing its conclusions, including imposition of civil monetary penalties.
The federal district judge hearing AstraZeneca’s 340B contract pharmacy lawsuit against HRSA and the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) has scheduled an Oct. 18 hearing on motions in that case.
A federal district judge in Indianapolis held a hearing on motions in Eli Lilly’s 340B contract pharmacy lawsuit in late July. At the time, U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker said she would “try to resolve these issues on an expedited basis.” Her opinion and orders could come at any time.
