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

    • HRSA Releases Proposed Rule to Move Up Effective Date of 340B Final RuleNovember 6th, 2018

      On November 2, 2018, the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) released a proposed rule to move up to January 1, 2019 the effective date of implementation and enforcement of the previously delayed final rule implementing the 340B Drug Discount Program (“Final Rule”). The Final …

    • CMS Proposes to Require WAC Disclosure in TV Ads for Rx DrugsOctober 16th, 2018

      The rubber has finally hit the road on an idea that earlier this year was considered (and rejected) by Congress, supported in a presidential tweet, and promoted by FDA Commissioner Gottlieb and HHS Secretary Azar. A proposed rule released today by CMS would require pharmaceutical …

    • Congress Expands Sunshine ReportingOctober 9th, 2018

      Last Wednesday, October 3, a wide-ranging opioid bill cleared its last legislative hurdle by passing the Senate, and is expected to be signed by the President in the near future. H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (“SUPPORT”) for Patients …

    • PhRMA Revives its Lawsuit against Enforcement of California Drug Pricing Transparency Bill SB 17October 4th, 2018

      On September 28, 2018, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) filed an Amended Complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against implementation and enforcement of California Senate Bill 17 (SB 17). On August 30, 2018, the United States District Court for the Eastern District …

    • PhRMA’s Complaint Against Enforcement of California Drug Pricing Transparency Bill SB 17 DismissedSeptember 6th, 2018

      On August 30, 2018, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California granted the State of California’s Motion to Dismiss a Complaint filed on December 8, 2017 by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against …

    • Third Circuit Affirms False Claims Act Dismissal Based on Reasonable InterpretationAugust 22nd, 2018

      In United States of America ex rel Streck v. Allergan Inc., a federal False Claims Act (FCA) case alleging that several pharmaceutical manufacturers knowingly calculated false Average Manufacturer Prices (AMPs) that affected their Medicaid rebate payments, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit …

    • Court of Federal Claims Sides with Company in Bid Protest Over Interpretation of the Trade Agreements Clause in a Solicitation for a Pharmaceutical ProductJuly 25th, 2018

      On July 10, 2018, the Court of Federal Claims found the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (“VA’s”) interpretation of the Trade Agreements clause to be arbitrary and capricious in Acetris Health, LLC v. United States, No. 18-433C (Fed. Cl. July 10, 2018) (the “Decision”). This action …

    • 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 …