The 340B PATIENTS Act clarifies and strengthens the 340B drug discount program, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to offer discounted prices on medications to eligible hospitals, clinics, and health centers. The bill explicitly permits covered entities to contract with pharmacies to dispense these discounted drugs to their patients and prohibits manufacturers from placing restrictions on how, where, or through whom these discounted drugs are delivered. The legislation targets drug manufacturers that violate these rules by establishing civil penalties up to $2 million per day of violation, with regulations to be developed within 180 days. This bill affects pharmaceutical manufacturers, eligible healthcare providers, and patients who rely on these covered entities for care—particularly those needing specialty drugs for serious conditions like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. The bill includes no new direct appropriations but relies on existing enforcement mechanisms and regulatory authority to implement its requirements.
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