Molly Jenkins, Senior Director of Public Affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), said that bipartisan senators agree on the need for reform in the 340B program to protect patients and taxpayers by enhancing transparency and accountability. This statement was made on the PhRMA blog.
"One thing the Senate can agree on: It's time to fix 340B," said Jenkins. "the CBO found no evidence patients benefit from the deep discounts. the 340B hospital markup program is a hidden tax on patients, taxpayers and employers. If Congress is serious about lowering drug costs, they must reform 340B."
According to a November 25, 2025, post on the PhRMA blog, Jenkins highlighted "rare bipartisan agreement" in the U.S. Senate regarding necessary reforms to the 340B program. She cited concerns that current practices increase costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers. The article urges Congress to implement measures that would improve transparency and accountability to realign the 340B program with its original safety-net intent. It also emphasizes addressing issues such as duplicate discounts and lost Medicaid/Medicare rebates, which ultimately raise costs for taxpayers.
The Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) 2025 analysis concludes that the 340B program "encourages behaviors—including the prescription of more and higher-priced drugs, the expansion of services, and the integration of hospitals and off-site clinics—that tend to increase federal spending." These incentives can elevate Medicare and Medicaid outlays, reinforcing concerns that unchecked growth in the 340B program inflates costs without clear benefits to patients.
The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) second interim staff report from January 2025 finds that large Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), who control most prescription volume, impose "significant price markups" on specialty generics, including cancer and HIV drugs. They also use opaque fees and contract terms that can raise costs for patients and plans. The agency highlights steering and vertical integration as contributing factors and calls for greater transparency and data access.
According to her PhRMA author profile, Jenkins is focused on communications strategies related to cost and value priorities. Before joining PhRMA, she led issue-advocacy and reputation campaigns at a public affairs firm and previously worked on Capitol Hill in various roles, including congressional communications positions.
