Dozens of lawmakers are demanding the Biden administration penalize drug companies that have curtailed discounts to a federal program, the latest fallout from an intensifying battle between the U.S. government and the pharmaceutical industry.
In a July 15 letter, 181 House representatives argued that drugmakers that ended or reduced price breaks to the 340B Drug Discount program are increasing costs for hospitals and clinics and hurting patients. Months have gone by since several of the companies were warned about penalties, but the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not taken action.
“Every day that drug manufacturers violate their obligation to provide these discounted drugs, vulnerable communities, federal grantees, and safety net health care providers are deprived of resources Congress intended to provide,” the lawmakers wrote to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Further delay of enforcement actions emboldens more manufacturers to begin overcharging safety net providers, threatening the integrity of the entire 340B program.”
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