Stakeholders clash over 340B changes in Georgia hearing; no vote taken

A House committee held an extended hearing on House Bill 139, a proposal that would constrain manufacturer, wholesaler and pharmacy practices associated with the federal 340B drug discount program. The session drew hospitals, community health centers, manufacturers, pharmacy trade groups and policy analysts and ended without a committee vote.

The bill’s sponsor opened with a primer on the federal 340B program and said the proposal would direct manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and wholesalers to comply with the federal statute’s allowance for covered entities to contract with multiple contract pharmacies. The sponsor said the goal was to protect community benefit uses of 340B savings in Georgia while following an Arkansas model that has survived legal challenge.

Hospital and rural-health witnesses said 340B discounts are a critical revenue source that supports charity care, cancer screenings,…