340B: A program worth fighting for

Abstract

The federal 340B drug discount program is essential to helping safety net providers meet their missions to treat the underserved. The program is under heavy attack in Washington, DC by the drug industry, which wants to gut it to maximise profits. At stake is US$4.5bn in savings that funds free/low-cost medicines for the needy and a panoply of clinical and pharmacy services to help uninsured and underinsured Americans. Strong advocacy from health providers is crucially needed to protect the 340B program. The authors present a strategy to clearly and publicly state the benefits of the program to the media and Congress.