Please note that this conference is now over. 
If you are interested in receiving the conference materials, you can
order a presentations CD or a conference binder. 

We hope to see you all at our next conference, the 10th Annual 340B Coalition Conference on Improving Access to Pharmaceutical Care and Ensuring Compliance with Federal and State Laws being held July 17-19, 2006 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.  More information can be found at
www.340bcoalition.org

A conference designed for safety net providers, the pharmaceutical industry, Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans, pharmacy service companies, and other entities interested in Medicare Part D, Patient Assistance Programs, and their impact on the Public Heath Service 340B drug discount program.

 Introduction

43 million Medicare beneficiaries -- nearly one out of every seven Americans – are now eligible to receive outpatient prescription drug coverage under a new Medicare benefit and tens of millions have already enrolled. Over 6 million dual-eligible beneficiaries -- individuals enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid -- have been automatically assigned to a Medicare prescription drug plan. Other Medicare beneficiaries will have until May 15 to enroll. Implementation of this massive new federal program will be especially challenging for low income Medicare patients who are already struggling with a host of competing challenges such as housing and transportation needs, lack of education, cultural and language barriers and other daily living demands associated with being elderly, disabled and poor. As the traditional providers of care for these vulnerable patients, the safety net hospitals, community health centers, state and local health departments and other providers that participate in the 340B drug discount program have a special responsibility to understand the Part D program, to be prepared to implement the program, and to anticipate its impact on the Medicare patients who rely on their services.

While health care providers and patients face new challenges, manufacturers, health plans and other sectors in the pharmaceutical industry must also adapt to this highly regulated area of commerce. Fraud and abuse concerns, particularly related to marketing and promotion, will result in major changes in Patient Assistance Programs and contract negotiations, as well as the way that health plans, the pharmaceutical industry, providers, and patients interact. Complicating these tasks is the additional challenge of understanding how the 340B and Medicare prescription drug programs intersect. This conference is designed to help safety net providers, manufacturers, wholesalers and other 340B stakeholders in meeting all of these challenges.

This event is hosted by the 340B Coalition, a group of 17 national associations that represent the thousands of health care providers and programs participating in the Federal 340B drug discount program.  You will hear from 340B experts and key Federal government representatives including CMS, HHS Office of Inspector General and HRSA officials on how to comply with and implement critical provisions of the law.  These include the new Rx benefit for low-income beneficiaries, filling in coverage gaps, education and outreach standards, anti-steering requirements, contracting issues between 340B pharmacies and Medicare Rx plans, potential impact of 340B on manufacturer rebate arrangements, reconciling formulary differences between Part D plans and 340B providers, and the future of patient assistance programs in Medicare and other environments. You will also hear from HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs, the 340B Prime Vendor Program, and the Pharmacy Services Support Center on recent developments within the 340B program and how they relate to Medicare Rx. This conference is unparalleled in providing timely information and relevant strategies for providers and industry representatives on how to prepare for government regulation in this new pharmacy environment.

• Pharmacists and clinic directors at institutions caring for low-income people of Medicare age or with disabilities
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, GPO and pharmacy service industries
• Administrators of manufacturer patient assistance programs
• Part D prescription drug plan sponsors, Medicare Advantage plans and other insurance organizations
• Consultants and attorneys who handle pharmacy compliance issues
• Retail and chain pharmacies working with 340B providers
• Pharmacy management and service companies
• Government relations directors and others who lobby on Medicare Rx and 340B issues
• State Medicaid pharmacy directors and pharmacy assistance program (SPAP) managers
• Other providers of health care for the uninsured and vulnerable populations

View the preliminary agenda.

Continuing Education Credits for Pharmacists Available!

Continuing education credits for pharmacists will be made available for this conference.  Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) continuing education credits provided by Comprehensive Pharmacy Services.

Pre-Conference Workshops, February 27, 1:30 pm to 5:15 pm*
and
Main Conference, February 28, 8:30 am to March 1, 12:00 pm

Note: When registering you will have the option to select
whether you want to attend a pre-conference workshop.

*Please note that there will be a dinner workshop limited to DSH hospitals and Public Hospital Pharmacy Coalition corporate partners on Monday, February 27, 2006 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  There will be an additional cost of $50 to attend this workshop and registration for the event is required.

**If you are unsure as to whether your institution is part of a 340B Coalition organization, please view the list of current 340B Coalition members.

If you are not yet a subscriber to the Drug Discount Monitor,
subscribe today and benefit from the discounted registration fee.
For more information about the Monitor, please visit www.drugdiscountmonitor.com

To register for this event, click on the link below.

Registration for this event is now Closed

If you can not attend the conference but want to stay informed, you can
purchase a conference binder or presentations CD by
clicking on the Order Binder/CD link below.

(Binders/CDs can be ordered by credit card or check.)

Should you have any questions regarding the logistics or content of the conference, please contact Laurinda Dennis by e-mail at laurinda.dennis@phpcrx.org or by phone at 202-872-6747.

Conference Attire is Business Casual

If you would like to be notified of future conference on the 340B program, please join our conference notification mailing list (PHPC members do not need to complete this form).