State legislative update: Big Pharma puts the brakes on 340B in Oklahoma

Posted on: 3/15/24

Two bills (HB 3379/SB 1628) that sought to prevent arbitrary limitations on the 340B Drug Pricing Program by the pharmaceutical industry hit major roadblocks this week. OHA remains committed to telling the story of 340B in Oklahoma and its impact on hometown health care as we continue this fight in a variety of ways. Due to nefarious attacks by Big Pharma, the political headwinds blew in the wrong direction, leaving communities and patients without protection from political games. 

Established by an act of Congress in 1992, the non-taxpayer funded program has served as a lifeline to both urban and rural Oklahoma, including the establishment of a cancer treatment center in southwest Oklahoma. As Big Pharma continues to place arbitrary limitations on the program, restricting access to the free market, services provided by institutions such as the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma will be under constant threat of loss. 

On a positive note, the last bill on OHA’s legislative agenda received approval from the Senate prior to this week’s deadline. On Monday, SB 1449 by Sen. Pro Temp Greg Treat and Rep. Nicole Miller, received overwhelming approval from the Senate. Intended to inject an additional $1 million into the Oklahoma State Department of Health for statewide perinatal resources, quality initiatives, and educational programming for mothers, babies and families, the funds are intended for disbursement to the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative. 

On Thursday evening, near the conclusion of the Senate’s marathon legislative day, the Senate released its budget resolution, Senate Resolution 31. As noted in last week’s Hotline, the Senate enacted a new budget transparency process with the budget resolution being the fruit of its labor, serving as the basis for budget negotiations with the House. It’s widely expected that SR 31 will be voted on next week in the Senate. (Scott Tohlen)