GAO Calls on HHS to Track Duplicate 340B and Medicaid Discounts

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) called on HHS in a new report to help ensure that drugmakers are not getting hit with duplicate discount requests from state Medicaid programs and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The report, written for Republicans in the House and Senate, found that drugmakers are having a hard time distinguishing between a 340B request and a Medicaid rebate request because certain information is not given to them by entities covered under both programs. For example, states are not required to provide data on individual Medicaid claims, making it difficult to determine if the drug is already covered under the 340B program, GAO found.

In addition, HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which administers the 340B program, doesn’t currently identify whether covered entities are complying with the prohibition of duplicate discounts. The government watchdog recommended that HRSA require covered entities to work with drugmakers on repayment of duplicate discounts.