340B HYPOCRISY: The inconvenient truth behind why we need to reform this vital safety net program

Published in Positively Aware on September 23, 2023

The 340B Drug Pricing Program (340B) is probably one of the most transformative public health programs providing lifesaving supports and services to people living with HIV in the United States, second only to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP). As such, rigorous debate about the future of the program is not only healthy, but it is also paramount to its success. As patients and patient advocates, it is our responsibility to demand accountability, transparency, and stability. There is universal agreement about the vital role 340B plays in improving access to healthcare. But for many—including ADAP Advocacy and the Community Access National Network—we contend that the program could be doing more…and better! The focus of the program should be on the patients, and not the Covered Entities, medical or service providers, or any other business enterprises making lots of money off it. That is the inconvenient truth behind why we need to reform this vital safety net program.