BlackDoctor.org, a health and wellness website, announced in a blog post that increased scrutiny of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program should lead to patient-centered reforms, with a focus on greater transparency and accountability so that program savings are directly linked to lower costs and improved outcomes for underserved communities.
The organization said the original intent of the 340B program was to lower costs and expand access, but it "is not working as it should" due to a transparency gap. According to BlackDoctor.org, "communities deserve clarity on how 340B operates" and there is a need for accountability and a clear connection between financial benefits from the program and real patient outcomes, especially for those facing affordability and access barriers according to its article.
The article also notes that while eligible nonprofit hospitals can purchase medicines at significant discounts through the 340B program, patients often do not see direct savings at the pharmacy counter. Many patients are unaware when their prescriptions are processed through these arrangements. The piece says this "disconnect" undermines trust in the system and makes equity goals more difficult to measure and achieve according to BlackDoctor.org.
Oversight has not kept pace with the rapid growth of the 340B program, BlackDoctor.org said. A large share of nonprofit hospitals now participate in the program, which has seen dramatic increases in overall volume. The article points to reporting about a Senate inquiry into the contractor managing key functions of 340B, raising questions about incentives, vendor profits, and whether growth remains aligned with patient-centered goals as reported by BlackDoctor.org.
Created by Congress in 1992, the 340B Drug Pricing Program requires Medicaid-participating manufacturers to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to eligible "covered entities," with oversight from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Recent reviews by the Government Accountability Office warn of persistent vulnerabilities such as duplicate discounts and gaps around contract pharmacies, recommending further actions to strengthen oversight according to GAO reports.
BlackDoctor.org describes itself as an online health resource focused on Black audiences. It aims to provide health information in everyday language and help readers "break through the disparities" affecting their health. The site positions its work at what it calls "the intersection of wellness and culture," emphasizing how heritage can influence health outcomes according to its website.
