Impact of the 340B Pharmacy Program on Services and Supports for Persons Served by Hemophilia Treatment Centers in the United States

Abstract

Purpose Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) provide integrated and comprehensive services to individuals affected with rare bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Through the 340 Drug Pricing Program, HTCs may use pharmacy income to support clinical staff and patient services. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of the 340B program funding on services and support provided by HTCs to persons affected by rare bleeding disorders. Description Federally designated comprehensive HTCs with established 340B programs were invited to participate in a mailed survey in 2014. Participants were requested to report on 340B program-funded staff and services in the calendar year 2013. Assessment The 31 of 37 HTCs responding served over 10,000 individuals, or one-third of the national HTC patient population. The majority of responding HTCs reported that 340B program income supported over 90% of staff such as nurses, social workers, and physical therapists. Conclusion The results from this survey of 31 centers with established programs demonstrates the HTCs’ reliance on 340B program support for vital comprehensive services, that are otherwise non-reimbursable, and highlights the importance of the 340B program in sustaining the high quality of care and in increasing access for a geographically dispersed, medically vulnerable population.

Evolution of haemophilia integrated care in the era of gene therapy: Treatment centre’s readiness in United States and EU

“…For example, US HTCs currently rely on 340B Pharmacy support (a system that allows HTCs to purchase pharmaceutical products at discounted rates and sell them to their patients at a profit) to fund vital services that are otherwise non-reimbursable. 13 Gene therapy could therefore have a profound impact on HTC viability in the United States unless appropriate funding/reimbursement models for delivery of gene therapy care (not just dosing) are developed. Solutions for this will need to be developed at a National/Regional level by payers, with input from the haemophilia community, and planning should start ahead of gene therapy availability.…”

The national blueprint for 21st century data and specimen collection and observational cohort studies: NHLBI State of the Science Workshop on factor VIII inhibitors

“…Community governance of the data and biospecimen repositories would ensure timely and equitable distribution of these resources to investigators for hypothesis‐driven basic, translational and clinical research. Resources/partnerships ○Support for HTC infrastructure is key to accurate data entry and biospecimen collection. Funding for haemophilia clinical research and surveillance has traditionally come from industry and the CDC with clinical care supported, in part, through the Maternal and Child Bureau of HHS and the 340B Pharmacy Program . Expansion of support mechanisms is needed.…”

How we approach: Training pediatric coagulationists

“…In the first 7 years of the program, graduates had high rates of publications and grant awards as well as retention in hematology‐related jobs. The program HTC Director will mentor the fellow with regard to administration of the HTC 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Regional HTC network, and collaborations with and data reporting to Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The mentor will work with the fellow on a career development plan including funding opportunities (Table ) and identification of the first faculty position.…”