Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) released a statement on Oct. 9 asking stakeholders to provide input on how to improve the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to submit ideas on how we can improve the 340B program. Congress, as well as those that participate in the program, must be open to updating 340B so that it best serves our seniors and most vulnerable patients, while also protecting the valuable services offered by health care providers, hospitals, and clinics,” according to the statement. “Program changes are needed and long overdue, and allowing program participants to continue playing by their own rules leaves the most important 340B stakeholder on the sideline – the patient.”
In the request, Alexander and Walden, both of whom have announced their retirement at the end of this Congress, highlighted their concerns about growth in the program and a lack of oversight. Input is due by Oct. 30, and the AAMC plans to submit comments in support of the 340B program.