AHA, others oppose PhRMA-led campaign to restrict 340B eligibility

Deceptively branded as an effort to save the 340B program, a legislative campaign by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, National Association of Community Health Centers and other groups to remove many hospitals, eligible drugs and patients from the 340B program "would only save drug company profits by reducing their already modest financial contribution to the health care safety net," the AHA and other national hospital groups said in a statement today.

"The proposed changes would cause massive harm for patients who rely on hospitals that use 340B savings to provide crucial care, services, and programs to their communities," they said. "…Twenty-one drug companies already have imposed harmful restrictions on access to 340B drugs through community and specialty pharmacies, and the new proposal would limit patients' access to discounted drugs even more."

Joining AHA in the statement were 340B Health, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, America's Essential Hospitals, the Association of American Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association of the United States and Children's Hospital Association.