Amid a growing number of probes into drug makers and patient charities, one patient charity is pushing back with a lawsuit accusing the federal government of stifling its free speech rights by allegedly limiting the information that can be provided to donors.
In arguing its case, Patient Services maintains an updated advisory opinion issued last March by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services places “oppressive restrictions” on its ability to communicate with drug makers, hospitals, and other donors. Charities, which provide patients with financial assistance to obtain drugs, rely on these opinions to ensure they comply with the law.
The modified opinion “ushers in a brave new world of government censorship and puts PSI in the impossible position of having to plan and set up new and modified disease funds without the benefit of the expertise of donors, prospective donors, or their purported affiliates who operate on the front lines in fighting these chronic diseases,” according to the lawsuit filed in federal court on Monday.
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