52 Operations & Management
Pharmacy Practice News • January 2010
Finance
How To Sift Through 340B Resources Katheryne Richardson, PharmD Senior Quality and Compliance Specialist
Danielle Mathers Communications Manager Health Resources and Services Administration, Pharmacy Services Support Center
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here are various sources of information on the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and it can be hard to decipher what information is good and what information is not. This article outlines some of the organizations and resources available to help you with the 340B program.
Part 2 in a Series
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his bimonthly series focuses on strategies for getting the most out of the federal 340B Drug Discount Program. The first article, “340B Drug Pricing Program: A Primer,” appeared in the November 2009 issue of Pharmacy Practice News. Future topics include: Split billing software. What does it do? How does it work? Plus tips on policies, procedures and practices, staffing, etc. Optimizing savings. How to achieve full implementation; dealing with formulary changes; and more. Contract pharmacy arrangements. In-house versus outside, independent consultants; specialty pharmacy considerations. Innovations in practice. Alternative Methods Demonstration Projects (AMDP); partnering in the community; patient safety collaboratives.
The Pharmacy Services Support Center The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Pharmacy Services Support Center (PSSC) is the government-approved resource for all 340B information. PSSC operates through a contract between HRSA and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). PSSC was created to help federally funded clinics and other health care safety net providers develop clinically and cost-effective pharmacy services. Central to this endeavor is optimal use of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which is run by the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) in the HRSA Healthcare Systems Bureau. PSSC provides free information, education and technical assistance to increase patient access to affordable drugs and pharmacy services. Reach out to the PSSC call center (800) 628-6297 for any questions concerning 340B. This free resource is available to help with all of your 340B inquiries. Staff, trained in the various issues relating to the 340B program, is on hand to answer questions or direct your calls to the appropriate people. The call center operates 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). Or e-mail PSSC anytime at PSSC@aphanet.org. In addition to the call center, PSSC manages a free technical assistance (TA) program, PharmTA, in partnership with OPA. This resource provides 340B-eligible entities solutions directly from expert pharmacist consultants. An objective-based work plan guides the process, and TA is delivered via phone, e-mail or site visit. Call (800) 628-6297 or e-mail PSSC@aphanet.org to request this service.
Table 1. 340B-Focused Organizations
The 340B Journey PSSC developed the 340B Journey, an extranet, as a place to put all of the most reliable 340B information. The 340B Journey is a collection of resources—links, documents, photos, videos,
a
Organizationa
Description
340B Prime Vendor Program (PVP) https:// www.340bpvp.com/ public/about/
The organization is responsible for the negotiation of pharmaceutical pricing below the 340B price as well as improving access to affordable medications by establishing a distribution network for pharmaceuticals to covered entities. The program is free and voluntary to facilities that are already 340B-eligible.
Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA) http://www.snhpa. org/public/index.cfm
SNHPA monitors, educates and serves as an advocate on federal legislative and regulatory issues related to 340B pricing and other pharmacy matters affecting safety net providers.
Other
The primary mission of these organizations is not 340B-specific, but they do stay engaged in 340B issues.
Pharmacy organizations
Some examples include the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of HealthSystem Pharmacists (ASHP), the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).
Health care/policy organizations
Some examples include the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), State and Regional Primary Care Associations, the National Governors Association (NGA), the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), the Child Health Corporation of America (CHCA), the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals (NACH).
Government programs
Each government program that is involved with eligible entities closely works with the Office of Pharmacy Affairs on 340B-related issues. Some examples include the HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs, the HRSA Bureau of Primary Healthcare, the HRSA Office of Rural Health Policy/Rural Assistance Center (RAC), the Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FDA.
HRSA PSSC does not endorse or hold a position on any of the above stakeholders’ specific practices pertaining to 340B guidance.
tools and presentations. PSSC has sifted through all of the 340B information available on the Internet and vetted that information so that only the best and most accurate 340B resources were posted on the site. The site is organized into the following sections: Tip of the week: This section changes on a weekly basis and contains general information that offers quick assistance to users. Quick search: The quick search tool allows users to search the site for key terms. This tool also searches the entire APhA library for relevant information. Getting started: This section contains comprehensive information for all entities in the 340B program. Folders are titled with all of the different entity types; users simply click on the folder of choice to find all of the information they need to enroll and implement the 340B program at the eligible site. Any entity-specific information also is listed in this section. Policy and education: Users can find relevant PowerPoint presentations, 340B educational modules and the most current policy information. PSSC’s Policy Blast, a newsletter containing policy developments specific to the 340B program, can be found here. Patient safety and quality initiatives: This section includes all of the latest information and resources relating the HRSA Patient Safety and Clinical