Grassley Probes Two Drugmakers Over 340B Pricing Program

In the latest squabble over the controversial 340B Drug Pricing Program, US Senator Chuck Grassley has written two drugmakers and demanded they explain why they refused to provide required discounts to an Iowa hospital. The Iowa Republican took this move after confirming with the US Health Resources Services Administration that the drugmakers should have offered lower prices. The hospital, which has not been named, contacted Grassley in July after he began probing alleged abuses of the 340B program. Earlier this week, he wrote CSL Behring, which makes an antidote for blood thinner poisoning called Kcentra, and to Pacira Pharmaceuticals, which makes a drug called Exparel that is used in surgical closing (read the letters here and here). We asked each drugmaker for comment and will update you accordingly. [UPDATE: A Pacira spokeswoman writes to say the drugmaker "is reviewing Senator Grassley's letter. The company will provide further updates, as appropriate, in the future." And a CSL spokesman sends this: "CSL Behring fully participates in the 340B drug discount program with regard to all of our therapies that are used in an outpatient setting...  With regard to the Iowa facility, Kcentra is available for purchase at the mandated 340B drug discount price. CSL has signed a PPA agreement which necessitates inclusion within the 340B program.  As a result, Kcentra is listed by HRSA as a 340B eligible therapy."] The 340B program, for those who may not recall, was created in 1992 ...
Source: Pharmalot - Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs