In response to my Freedom of Information Act Request, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provided me with its previously-undisclosed letter to the Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA) regarding Amgen’s distribution strategy for Neulasta. For background, see With a Top Secret Letter, HRSA Blesses Amgen’s New 340B Distribution Plan.
As a public service, I am including the full letter below.
Unfortunately, Commander Pedley’s letter doesn’t reference any specific regulation, rule, notice, guideline, law, FAQ, letter, or presentation. Apparently, the 340B drug discount program relies on little more than the unaccountable whims of an ever-burgeoning bureaucracy. The letter is also sadly consistent with the Obama administration's make-it-up-as-we-go-along approach to health care policy. Just my $0.02, but this is no way to run the fast-growing, multi-billion dollar 340B drug discount program, especially since the program is already being used in questionable ways.
Click here to download the letter to SNHPA's general counsel as a PDF.
