• where experts go to learn about FDA
  • Alan M. Kirschenbaum

    • Connecticut Becomes Seventh State to Enact Drug Price Transparency LawJune 6th, 2018

      With the enactment of Public Act 18-41 on May 31, 2018, Connecticut joined the growing list of states (see our posts here and here) requiring drug manufacturers to submit reports on price increases. Three different reporting requirements are imposed on manufacturers under the law. First, …

    • Fifth Delay for 340B Final Rule ImplementationJune 4th, 2018

      On June 1, 2018, the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) released a final rule delaying the effective date of implementation and enforcement of the previously issued final rule implementing the 340B Drug Discount Program (“Substantive Final Rule”). The Substantive Final Rule, which was originally …

    • New Vermont Law Seeks to Allow Wholesale Importation of Drugs from CanadaMay 22nd, 2018

      On May 16, 2018, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 175, which allows for the wholesale importation of prescription drugs from Canada into Vermont.  The new law directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services (VAHS) to design a wholesale prescription drug importation program that …

    • Fourth Circuit Finds Maryland Price Gouging Law UnconstitutionalApril 16th, 2018

      On Friday, April 13, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that Maryland’s law prohibiting “price gouging” by generic pharmaceutical manufacturers (HB 631) is unconstitutional because it violates the dormant commerce clause by directly regulating transactions that occur outside of Maryland. …

    • CMS Finalizes New Medicaid Rebate AgreementMarch 23rd, 2018

      In order for their outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicaid and Medicare Part B, drug manufacturers must enter into a National Drug Rebate Agreement (“Agreement”) with the Department of Health and Human Services. The Agreement requires the manufacturer to pay quarterly rebates to state …

    • Oregon Jumps on the Drug Pricing Transparency BandwagonMarch 15th, 2018

      On March 13, 2018, Oregon became the latest state to enact a law focused on transparency in drug pricing (see our roundup of other recent state laws). The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, H.B. 4005, places new reporting requirements on drug manufacturers related to price …

    • Budget Act Increases Brand Drug Companies’ Discounts Under Government ProgramsFebruary 12th, 2018

      Buried in the 250 pages of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018), which was signed by President Trump on Friday, February 9, are several provisions directly affecting the discounts brand drug manufacturers must pay under federal drug benefit programs: Increase in Part D Coverage …

    • New Jersey Finalizes New Limits on Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Gifts and Payments to PrescribersJanuary 17th, 2018

      As we previously reported, in October 2017, the New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs issued a proposed rule in response to concerns about the amount of money being paid to prescribers in the state of New Jersey. On December 22, 2017, the …

    • Continued Interest in Drug Categorization – OIG Finds Ten Potentially Misclassified Drugs May Have Led to $1.3 Billion in Lost Medicaid RebatesJanuary 4th, 2018

      On December 20, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a report entitled “Potential Misclassifications Reported by Drug Manufacturers May Have Led to $1 Billion in Lost Medicaid Rebates.” This report is the result of Congress’ September 2016 …

    • Another State Drug Pricing Law… Another Legal Challenge; Trade Group Sues California in Latest Lawsuit against Drug Pricing Transparency BillDecember 17th, 2017

      On December 8, 2017, the pharmaceutical manufacturers’ trade association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), filed a complaint in federal district court in the Eastern District of California seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against implementation and enforcement of California’s recently enacted California Senate Bill …

    • Nevada Scares Diabetes Drug Manufacturers With Halloween List of “Essential Diabetes Drugs”November 9th, 2017

      In June, we reported on Nevada S.B 539, a new law that, among other things, requires manufacturers of “essential diabetes drugs” to report certain sensitive financial information concerning these drugs. On October 31, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services took the first step …

    • 2017: A Banner Year for State Laws on Drug Pricing, Price Reporting, and DiscountingNovember 2nd, 2017

      Despite relative inaction on drug pricing at the federal level so far this year, 2017 has been a banner year for state legislation involving pharmaceutical pricing, price reporting, and discounting. Because it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of these recent laws, we thought …

    • PhRMA and BIO Team Up Again to Challenge a State Drug Pricing LawSeptember 7th, 2017

      On September 1, 2017, two industry trade associations, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (“PhRMA”) and Biotechnology Innovation Organization (“BIO”), jointly filed a civil action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against the Nevada Governor and Director of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services …

    • HHS Proposes Longer Delays to Implementation of the 340B Final RuleAugust 21st, 2017

      On August 21, 2017, the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”), the federal agency responsible for overseeing the 340B Drug Discount Program, published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that would delay until July 1, 2018 the implementation of the Final …

    • Nevada Transparency Bill Targets Diabetes Drugs and Payments to Health Care ProvidersJune 20th, 2017

      Nevada has become the most recent state to enact a law addressing drug prices. S.B. 539, enacted on June 15, 2017, places new reporting requirements on pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) related to diabetes treatments and health care provider (“HCP”) payments. Patient advocacy …