ASHP and its partners at the American Hospital Association (AHA) and 340B Health are supporting the legal fight to defend state laws that prohibit drug manufacturers from imposing new restrictions on the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Filing an amicus or “friend of the court” brief is a way ASHP can support states involved in litigation with drug manufacturers. Our amicus briefs defend states’ authority to pass legislation regulating manufacturer actions under the 340B program.
Today, we filed an amicus brief in the federal district court in Missouri to defend that state’s law protecting 340B contract pharmacy arrangements. ASHP and our partners at AHA and 340B Health recently filed similar briefs in federal courts in Maryland and West Virginia, as well as a separate case brought by manufacturers in Missouri.
Across the country, states are adopting laws, similar to the model legislation ASHP and 340B Health developed, to protect contract pharmacy. Our amicus briefs are part of a larger strategy to defend those state laws in the courts.
These legal efforts reflect ASHP’s ongoing commitment to protect the 340B program, which provides financial savings that help hospitals and health systems improve the health of their communities by delivering high-quality and accessible healthcare.
We will keep you informed of ASHP’s aggressive advocacy efforts on behalf of our members and the patients they serve.