Arkansas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Drug Companies Over 340B Program Restrictions
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has filed a lawsuit against 22 defendants, including 13 drug manufacturers and a data management firm, for allegedly violating state law by restricting access to discounted drugs under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. The lawsuit claims these companies have engaged in practices that undermine the program, which is designed to provide affordable medications to healthcare providers serving low-income and uninsured patients. The 340B program, established in 1992, requires drug manufacturers participating in Medicare and Medicaid to sell drugs at discounted prices to certain healthcare providers. However, the lawsuit alleges that manufacturers have imposed restrictions that make it difficult for providers to obtain these discounts, thereby violating Arkansas's Act 1103 of 2021.