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Common-sense reforms can help ensure everyone benefits from America’s engine of innovation and receives the care they need and deserve. In this series, we’re taking a closer look at PhRMA’s advocacy efforts to make medicines more affordable, part of our patient-centered agenda, which aims to lower barriers between our industry’s medical innovations and patients who need them.
It is crucially important that we protect access to care for the most vulnerable Americans. Key to this is ensuring our safety-net programs work for patients. That’s why policymakers must preserve the 340B program and put it back on solid footing.
340B was originally created to help vulnerable patients access medicines at safety-net hospitals and certain clinics. Nearly three decades later, the program no longer resembles its original mission. Just take a look at the stats. It isn’t the small program Congress originally envisioned.
The program has grown significantly, but we haven’t seen commensurate growth in the amount of care provided to vulnerable patients in the form of charity care (free or discounted care provided by a hospital). This is because 340B has become a profit engine for participating hospitals, with no requirements that limit what hospitals can charge uninsured patients for 340B medicines and no requirements that revenue generated from 340B be reinvested back into serving low-income and vulnerable patients.
Instead, 340B covered entities, for-profit pharmacies and other middlemen have co-opted a program meant to help patients and turned it into one that boosts their bottom lines, generating billions in profits with little to no evidence patients benefit. In fact, study after study, like this recent piece in the American Journal of Managed Care, has found that far too many 340B covered entities are not always using the profit they generate from 340B to provide care to low-income patients.
With zero reporting requirements, lax guidance and weak government oversight, the 340B program is a black box, meaning there is little to no transparency into how covered entities use the profit they generate from 340B. This is disconcerting when you consider the biopharmaceutical companies provide discounts totaling tens of billions of dollars to the hospitals and clinics currently participating in 340B every year.
We must pursue policies that preserve 340B for patients that need it. Greater oversight and transparency will help ensure that hospitals and other entities are using the 340B discounts to serve needy patients – not siphoning resources away from them.
The biopharmaceutical industry supports the goals of the 340B program and stands ready to work with policymakers to seek fixes that put patients first, curb program abuses and prevent further manipulation. Learn more at PhRMA.org/BetterWay.
Emilie Signora
is a manager of public affairs at PhRMA focusing on the cost and value of medicines, as well as media executive visibility work. She previously worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s communications team. She received a B.A. in Communications from George Washington University. Outside of the office, Emilie enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Emilie Signora
Why 340B needs an itemized bill
October 20, 2026
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October 5, 2026
New Report: Hospitals, clinics and for-profit partners pocketed $142B in 2025 from 340B
October 1, 2026
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September 24, 2026
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ICYMI: Hospital consolidation is driving up health care costs
August 27, 2026
It's time to modernize 340B: The case for a rebate model
August 19, 2026
ICYMI: Fox business hosts call 340B a ‘Rotten System’ and ‘Cash Cow’ for hospitals
July 23, 2026
340B’s reality: A booming business for hospitals, pharmacies and corporate giants
June 25, 2026
340B’s lack of guardrails lets big hospital systems turn it into an oversight-free revenue stream
June 22, 2026
Private equity's new play? Become a nonprofit to profit off 340B.
June 5, 2026
340B is growing, but it is unclear if Illinois patients benefit
May 27, 2026
Fox Business spotlights hospitals abuse of the 340B program
May 15, 2026
The Wall Street Journal raises new alarms about 340B
May 11, 2026
Hospitals in the hot seat: Congress sharpens focus on 340B, consolidation and rising costs
May 7, 2026
New "Goldmine” ad reveals hospitals hide how they profit from 340B markups
May 6, 2026
A program off track: How 340B drives both hospital consolidation and system gaming
April 27, 2026
Washington Post Editorial Board says 340B has become “corporate welfare”
April 27, 2026
Modernizing 340B using rapid verification: The case for a rebate model
April 20, 2026
Congress should look under the hood of 340B, hospitals don't want them to
March 19, 2026
340B hospitals buy low and sell high, a new analysis shows
March 12, 2026
New report from Minnesota: 340B is generating billions for big hospitals
March 9, 2026
340B hospital markup scheme is costing states, taxpayers billions
February 25, 2026
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February 23, 2026
PhRMA Forum 2026 highlights the importance of fostering the next era of American leadership
February 18, 2026
50-state poll says Americans are concerned that hospital markups hurt patients
January 27, 2026
New analysis finds 340B hospitals push patients toward costly care to boost profits
January 21, 2026
Data shows tax-exempt hospital profit-seeking behavior, not drug prices, is driving explosive 340B expansion
January 8, 2026
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January 5, 2026
340B’s billion-dollar boom: Oversight lags as spending soars
December 19, 2025
New study: 340B rebate model pilot won’t hurt cash flow for providers
December 18, 2025
One thing the Senate can agree on: It’s time to fix 340B
November 25, 2025
Middlemen mark up drug prices and keep discounts meant for you
November 10, 2025
The Administration approves manufacturers’ 340B rebate pilot plans
November 6, 2025
340B abuses are fueling higher Medicare costs, new BRG report shows
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ICYMI: The Wall Street Journal calls 340B reform a “good idea to cut drug costs”
September 23, 2025
340B hospitals use scare tactics to evade accountability
September 16, 2025
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September 15, 2025
CBO: 340B program costs taxpayers, no evidence patients benefit
September 10, 2025
PhRMA stresses importance of 340B Rebate Model Pilot
September 9, 2025
New “Meet Mark” ad exposes how the 340B hospital markup program drives up costs for everyone
September 3, 2025
New study unmasks how big-city hospitals exploit 340B by posing as rural providers
August 21, 2025
Study: 340B hospitals drive up patient drug costs
August 15, 2025
Curbing 340B abuse and rising costs with the rebate model
August 12, 2025
The hidden cost of 340B: A multi-billion-dollar burden on taxpayers and Medicaid
July 14, 2025
Latest analysis from Ohio exposes growing abuses of the 340B markup program
July 7, 2025
New report finds rampant abuse of the 340B program
June 20, 2025
How the 340B hospital markup program could hurt Michigan patients
June 12, 2025
New “Balance the Scales” campaign highlights why Americans pay more for prescription medicines
May 21, 2025
How the 340B hospital markup program and PBMs drive up costs for U.S. patients
May 16, 2025
Foreign first pricing schemes don’t address why Americans pay more
May 15, 2025
When hospitals have free rein to mark up drug prices, who pays the price?
May 1, 2025
New report finds more abuse of 340B program by hospitals and drug middlemen
March 24, 2025
A closer look at how health care consolidation drives up patient costs, creates barriers to care
March 17, 2025
340B markup program is a hidden tax, increasing costs for employers, straining state and federal budgets
March 5, 2025
Biopharmaceutical innovation for a healthier America: PhRMA releases new innovation report
February 21, 2025
New policy agenda charts solutions for a healthier America
February 20, 2025
A successful PhRMA Forum highlights our commitment to a healthier America
February 20, 2025
New report sheds light on payment flows in the pharmaceutical supply chain, including the role of 340B and vertical integration
February 13, 2025
Wrapping up the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
January 16, 2025
NYT exposes hospitals, middlemen make millions off a hospital markup program
January 15, 2025
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January 11, 2025
New study: Entities that don’t make medicines get half of what is spent on those medicines
January 7, 2025
A new administration poses new opportunities for patient access
December 17, 2024
New 340B report from Minnesota exposes steep hospital markups on medicines, patient benefits remain unclear
November 27, 2024
Michigan hospitals using federal program to markup cost of medicines, gouging patients
November 27, 2024
340B spending is exploding, forcing prices up for patients, employers and government programs
November 13, 2024
Three things to know about 340B contract pharmacies
November 12, 2024
Reimagining patient access through meaningful policy reform
November 5, 2024
PhRMA urges HRSA not to impede new 340B pricing approaches to improve transparency and integrity
October 18, 2024
Illegal abuse of 340B hurts us all
October 3, 2024
WTAS: Voters voice concerns about PBM abuses, call on policymakers to act
July 19, 2024
340B sales go up, free or reduced-cost care offered at hospitals goes down
July 1, 2024
ICYMI: Health care policy should be driven by patients, not politics
June 10, 2024
The hidden bill patients don’t know they are paying
June 3, 2024
340B grows and grows, but patients do not see the savings
May 13, 2024
340B grows and grows, but patients do not see the savings
May 13, 2024
ICYMI: Voter priorities this election season
April 18, 2024
PBMs using 340B program to drive profits at patients’ expense
March 28, 2024
Four years later, Maryland board still hasn’t delivered for patients
February 12, 2024
Setting the Record Straight: Comparing U.S. drug prices to those in foreign countries hurts patients
February 7, 2024
What’s the 340B program like in your state?
February 7, 2024
New year, same exploitation of the 340B program
January 25, 2024
When it comes to the future of innovation, the ball is in policymakers’ court
January 22, 2024
How the 340B program became a PBM giveaway
December 11, 2023
The IRA’s pill penalty threatens the future of oncology R&D
November 16, 2023
ICYMI: WSJ — Same Drug, Two Prices: Why the Higher Price Prevails
November 15, 2023
New report adds to questions about nonprofit status of 340B hospitals
November 7, 2023
ICYMI: Scott LaGanga and Matt Salo deliver a State of the Industry Report
October 25, 2023
Word of the Month: AMR
September 27, 2023
New analysis shows PBMs use fees as a profit center
September 18, 2023
By the Numbers: 340B continues to climb in profits, dwindle with patient support
September 13, 2023
New PhRMA ad exposes yet another way PBMs get between patients and their medicines
September 5, 2023
New 340B Mega Guidance
August 3, 2023
New report: Hospitals mark up medicine prices 500%
August 2, 2023
read more
August 2, 2023
PhRMA responds to Senate: Today’s 340B program leaves patients behind | PhRMA
July 28, 2023
New studies add to body of evidence questioning 340B efficacy
July 11, 2023
More than 60 researchers ask Congress to support innovation
June 26, 2023
340B program reaches $100 billion in sales, while patients are left behind
June 14, 2023
4 key facts on medicine prices and spending
May 9, 2023
Americans want state policymakers to lower out-of-pocket costs
May 1, 2023
Policies need to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance
April 28, 2023
Three facts about health care spending
April 25, 2023
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April 24, 2023
Nonprofit hospitals fall short on community benefit, studies show
April 24, 2023
New global analysis shows patient access challenges around the world
April 12, 2023
States can support access to medicine as COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends
April 5, 2023
Arkansas puts patients first with new share the savings law
April 4, 2023
Why Congress should prioritize fixing the 340B program
March 2, 2023
Holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable
February 23, 2023
Stopping pharmacy benefit managers from “gaming the system”
February 22, 2023
What they are saying: Nonprofit hospitals are gaming the system at the expense of patients
February 21, 2023
ICYMI: PhRMA kicks off the year at the 2023 J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference
January 19, 2023
340B program continues to drive shift in care to more expensive hospital settings
December 15, 2022
ICYMI: PhRMA COO Lori Reilly speaks about the health care agenda for the next Congress
December 9, 2022
The 340B program is interfering with the U.S. biosimilars market and impacting patient costs
November 21, 2022
Three ways 340B is failing vulnerable patients
October 20, 2022
If patients aren’t benefiting from the 340B program, who is?
October 6, 2022
A key fact the White House is reluctant to admit
September 27, 2022
A key fact the White House is reluctant to admit
September 27, 2022
New data: The 340B program is driving up costs for patients and our health care system
September 15, 2022
Word of the Month: 340B covered entity
August 29, 2022
New survey: Voters seriously concerned about fine print in reconciliation bill
August 12, 2022
Myth vs. Fact: The Senate’s latest price setting proposal
August 5, 2022
The Senate’s latest price setting proposal will undermine U.S. economic growth
August 3, 2022
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August 2, 2022
New analysis finds deeper impact of drug pricing bill on biopharmaceutical researchers
August 1, 2022
The Senate’s latest price setting proposal will undermine: Our health care system
July 28, 2022
The Senate’s latest price setting proposal will undermine: American medical innovation
July 27, 2022
The Senate’s latest price setting proposal will undermine: Patient access to medicines
July 26, 2022
The Patient Perspective: Government price-setting harms patients
July 22, 2022
Putting patients first at the state level — A conversation with Mark Reisenauer, President of Astellas Pharma US
July 14, 2022
Polling continues to show voters reject so-called Medicare “negotiation” once they learn about consequences for patients
July 12, 2022
By the Numbers: Patients lose when the government sets prices
July 8, 2022
Patients win as West Virginia implements first-in-nation share the savings policy
July 8, 2022
340B program remains second largest federal drug program, yet little solid evidence of benefits to patient
June 30, 2022
Study after study after study: Contract pharmacy expansion not aligned in communities 340B is meant to serve
June 24, 2022
New research finds gaps in charity care provided by 340B hospitals
June 2, 2022
Three charts show how the Medicare Part D program could be improved to work better for seniors and people with disabilities
April 27, 2022
Analysis: States can help patients save nearly $1,000 annually on their medicines
April 21, 2022
By the numbers: Contract pharmacy participation in the 340B program
March 31, 2022
Veterans Affairs 101: Three charts show how the VA system differs from Medicare
March 11, 2022
Government price setting leaves behind families counting on new medicines
February 23, 2022
PhRMA submits comments urging CMS to withdraw coverage proposal
February 11, 2022
340B 101: Three charts show the program maximizes hospitals’ bottom line with little consideration for patients
February 8, 2022
Medicaid 101: Three charts on access and spending
February 3, 2022
Government price setting won’t stop insurers from shifting costs to patients
February 2, 2022
New comments outline ways to counteract cost-shifting insurance trends
January 28, 2022
Patients need to pay less for their medicines. States can help.
January 26, 2022
It’s a new year, but sadly Congress is still pursuing flawed price setting policies
January 25, 2022
New poll of all 50 states and 435 Congressional Districts shows perils of so-called Medicare “negotiation”
January 25, 2022
CBO reaffirms our innovation ecosystem leads to improved lives, long-term savings
January 21, 2022
New study finds more than half of brand medicine spending goes to the supply chain and others
January 7, 2022
Post-approval research save lives. Why is Congress trying disincentivize it?
December 17, 2021
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December 9, 2021
Making medicines more affordable: Making insurance work like insurance
December 8, 2021
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December 6, 2021
Navigating the patient experience in the time of COVID-19
December 6, 2021
Insurance design barriers can impact patient adherence and can lead to poor health outcomes
November 23, 2021
What is missing in the current drug pricing plan
November 23, 2021
ICYMI: PhRMA CEO speaks at STAT Summit about government price setting
November 19, 2021
Making medicines more affordable: Sharing savings at the pharmacy counter
November 19, 2021
Three things to know about so-called Medicare negotiation polling
November 18, 2021
In the current health care debate, Congress has lost sight of what matters to U.S. voters
November 15, 2021
Making medicines more affordable: Modernizing Medicare
November 11, 2021
Making Medicines More Affordable: Making coupons count
November 5, 2021
What they are saying: Government price setting for medicines is not the answer
November 4, 2021
Fact Check: Do contract pharmacies help patients access 340B medicines? No.
November 2, 2021
The patient experience: Insurance design hurdles lead to access issues for too many Americans
October 28, 2021
New video: Why changes to the 340B program are essential for patients
October 28, 2021
ICYMI: New study confirms policies like H.R. 3 could significantly reduce drug development
October 18, 2021
New poll shows Americans reject Medicare negotiation once they learn more about the policy
October 15, 2021
New analysis adds to research questioning whether 340B is working as Congress intended
October 13, 2021
New report shows 3 in 10 Americans that have insurance still face a financial barrier to care
October 7, 2021
PhRMA releases 2021 industry profile
September 20, 2021
340B hospitals among those that provide lowest levels of community benefit across the country
July 27, 2021
Government “negotiation” could have devastating consequences for Medicare enrollees
July 23, 2021
Protecting Medicare from government interference
July 21, 2021
3 factors impacting medication adherence for patients with diabetes
July 20, 2021
Data shows voters strongly support protecting access to their medicines
July 15, 2021
Medicare “negotiation” proposals threaten Americans’ access to medicines
June 30, 2021
Building a better health care system: A conversation with Mark Reisenauer, President of Astellas US
June 23, 2021
Four solutions Americans support to make health care more affordable
May 13, 2021
The FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity: Working to advance health equity through diversity in research
May 12, 2021
H.R. 3 threatens access to medicines, future innovation and American jobs
May 4, 2021
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April 13, 2021
Getting the 340B program back on track in 2021
March 10, 2021
Correcting the record: Biopharmaceutical companies remain committed to the 340B program and helping patients
December 17, 2020
PhRMA submits comments on ways to refocus the 340B program on America’s vulnerable patients
November 2, 2020
340B hospitals and for-profit pharmacies generating significant revenue from program meant to help needy patients
October 23, 2020
Growth in 340B program has not translated to improvements for patients
October 5, 2020
New GAO report: Some hospitals participating in 340B may not be eligible for the program
January 14, 2020
Nearly 50% of brand medicine spending goes to the supply chain and others
January 9, 2020
340B Spotlight: How for-profit middlemen are taking advantage of a program meant to support nonprofit entities and patients
August 20, 2019
Study finds hospitals continue to mark up medicines up to 500% of their cost
July 9, 2019
Fresh data show, yet again, 340B is growing while charity care dwindles at many 340B hospitals
May 16, 2019