S. 2372: To ensure the accessibility of drugs furnished through the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act.

This bill, titled the 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support Act of 2025 or the 340B PATIENTS Act of 2025, aims to ensure better accessibility to discounted drugs through the drug discount program established under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act. Below are its key provisions and purposes:

Findings

The bill identifies several key points regarding the existing 340B drug discount program:

• The program allows certain health care entities to purchase outpatient drugs at discounted prices to stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to patients.
• Drug manufacturers participating in Medicaid and Medicare are obligated to offer these discounts to covered entities.
• S savings from these discounts help health care facilities provide critical services in their communities.
• Covered entities often contract with pharmacies to dispense these medications to patients, which the bill acknowledges as a common and necessary practice.
• The program has been effective in controlling drug price increases and providing essential drugs, particularly specialty medications, which might otherwise be inaccessible.

Purposes of the Bill

The primary purposes outlined in this legislation include:

• Clarifying that drug manufacturers must offer discounted pricing to covered entities without imposing conditions based on how or where the drugs are dispensed.
• Affirming that covered entities can enter into contracts with pharmacies to dispense drugs purchased at 340B pricing, thereby enhancing their ability to provide care.

Accessibility of Drugs Under the Drug Discount Program

The bill proposes amendments to enhance the effectiveness of the 340B program:

• It clarifies that manufacturers must provide drugs at discounted prices without imposing restrictions on the manner or location in which drugs are dispensed.
• Conditions that limit how drugs can be delivered, administered, or purchased by covered entities are prohibited if they undermine the purpose of the 340B program.
• Additional provisions ensure that pharmacies contracted by covered entities are allowed to dispense covered outpatient drugs without undue restrictions from drug manufacturers.

Manufacturer Compliance and Penalties

The bill emphasizes enforcement and compliance measures, including:

• Imposing civil monetary penalties on manufacturers who violate the terms of the 340B agreement, with penalties reaching up to $2 million for each day of non-compliance.
• Implementing a regulatory framework to handle claims of violations by covered entities, establishing accountability for manufacturers who fail to adhere to the provisions of the law.

Relevant Companies

None found.