Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Providers Hopeful That Generics Drug Company Led By Hospitals Will Shake Up Status Quo
Modern Healthcare: HHS 340B Rule Delay Would Put Hospitals At Risk For High Drug Prices
Safety-net hospitals urged HHS not to postpone a rule setting new ceiling prices for the 340B drug discount program, saying the delay would leave them defenseless against rising costs. Although HHS was supposed to set ceiling prices starting July 1, the agency wants to hold off on the rule for a year. The request is the fifth time the rule has been postponed, and providers had until Tuesday to comment on the proposal. (Dickson, 5/24)
In other pharmaceutical news —
Modern Healthcare: Health System-Led Drug Company Garners Strong Provider Support
Providers are optimistic that the health system-led generic drug company will be able to lower drug costs and mitigate shortages, and the vast majority say they will buy drugs from the venture, according to a new survey. Intermountain Healthcare, Ascension, SSM Health and Trinity Health are working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pool their capital and fight back against drug companies that unexpectedly hike the prices of decades-old off-patent generic drugs. The providers also want to create a more reliable supply of generic drugs like sodium bicarbonate and saline that are vulnerable to shortages. (Kacik, 5/24)
The Hill: Senate Health Committee To Hold Hearing On Trump Drug Pricing Plan
President Trump's top health official will testify at a Senate hearing next month about the president’s proposal to reduce prescription drug costs. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will testify at the June 12 Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing, the first time lawmakers will publicly examine Trump’s plan, which was unveiled earlier this month. (Weixel, 5/24)
