ADAP Advocacy White Paper Calls for 340B Program Reform to Prioritize Patients

ADAP Advocacy has released a retrospective white paper examining the 340B Drug Pricing Program, arguing that reform is necessary to realign the program with its original legislative intent of helping low-income and uninsured patients. The paper, titled "340B Program: The Glue That Should Hold Our Healthcare System Together," outlines how the program has grown into the second-largest federal prescription drug program in the United States, behind Medicare Part D, but has veered from its mission by prioritizing provider interests over patient interests.

The white paper raises three central questions: If 340B is designed to expand access and reduce financial burden, why are patients increasingly unable to afford care? Why is 340B not adequately addressing this problem? And why is it failing to meet the needs of the uninsured and underinsured? These questions underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability within the program.

Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of ADAP Advocacy, emphasized that the push for greater transparency should extend to the 340B Program, just as it has to hospital billing practices and pharmacy benefit managers' spread pricing policies. "The ultimate goal is improved program efficiency, leading to greater access to care and treatment for low-income patients," Macsata stated.

The white paper notes that the program's growth in dollars and integration into the healthcare system's financial aspects have outpaced the ability to clearly see how it is helping patients. It argues that a program of this size and importance cannot rely solely on good faith; instead, it requires improved accountability and transparency guardrails to ensure success for its intended beneficiaries: patients.

The full white paper is available at https://www.adapadvocacy.org/policycenter/340b. ADAP Advocacy's mission is to promote and enhance AIDS Drug Assistance Programs and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.