Connecticut Battles Big Pharma Over Drug Price Rules

HARTFORD — Connecticut has joined other states in supporting a federal battle against Big Pharma regarding drug prices for low-income and underserved populations.

Attorney General William Tong Monday was part of a bipartisan, nationwide coalition of attorneys general in two amicus briefs defending affordable drug prices before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third Circuit and District of Columbia.

The brief defends the actions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in cases filed by Sanofi SA, Novartis Pharmaceutics, United Therapeutics Corp and NovoNordisk.
The pharmaceutical giants have refused to comply or unilaterally adopted unlawful restrictions on the 340B Program requiring discounted drug pricing for community health centers, clinics and institutions serving low-income and underserved patient populations, according to Tong.

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was adopted by Congress in 1992 and has strong bipartisan support.

The drug companies challenged violation orders issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The bipartisan, multistate coalition argues in their amicus briefs HHS’s actions were lawful and necessary.

“These drug manufacturers have flouted the law to unlawfully inflate their profits — ignoring the critical medical needs of vulnerable communities. Our bipartisan, nationwide coalition urged HHS to use its enforcement authority to compel drug manufacturers to comply with the law. HHS’ actions were both necessary and lawful,” said Tong.

The bipartisan coalition of attorneys general previously urged to HHS to hold drug makers accountable for actions imperiling access to affordable prescriptions for low-income patients.
Tong also wrote drug makers directly urging them to comply with the 340B program.

The amicus brief was led by Tong and signed by the attorneys general Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.