Senate committee advances bill requiring state reporting on 340B drug discounts

Senate Commerce and Human Resources on Thursday voted to send House Bill 136 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation after testimony about transparency and program oversight in the federal 340B drug-pricing program.

Sponsor Sen. Carl Bjerke, R.-District 5, told the committee the bill would require 340B covered entities to report acquisition costs, payments received and how savings are used to the Idaho attorney general, the state controller and the director of the Department of Health and Welfare. "This bill enhances transparency and accountability in this program," Bjerke said, adding that the data would not be publicly released but would allow state officials to evaluate whether federally discounted drug savings are being used for charity care or retained as revenue.

Supporters said state review is necessary because federal oversight by the Health…