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2023-10-02
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Copyright (c) 2023 Ariela Wagner, Jangus Whitner, Ariel Williams, Kristina Hirt, Tessa Miracle, Alexa Valentino
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright of content published in INNOVATIONS in pharmacy belongs to the author(s).
Community Health Center 340B Program: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Patients with Diabetes
Ariela Wagner
PrimaryOne Health
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6128-3652
Jangus Whitner
PrimaryOne Health
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0443-4132
Ariel Williams
PrimaryOne Health
Kristina Hirt
PrimaryOne Health
Tessa Miracle
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
Alexa Valentino
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and PrimaryOne Health
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9107-9724
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v14i3.5445
Keywords: federally qualified health center, safety-net, prescription drug coverage, contract pharmacy, drug pricing, prescription discount program, medication cost, patient perspectives
Abstract
Background: The 340B Drug Pricing Program provides discounted drug prices to safety-net entities which help stretch scarce resources to expand comprehensive services and treat more vulnerable patients. The program has received criticism questioning whether the original intentions are being accomplished.
Objective: This qualitative study aimed to understand lived experiences of patients accessing high-cost injectable diabetes medication(s) through a 340B Prescription Cash Discount Program (PCDP) provided at a community health center.
Methods: This qualitative study utilized semi-structured individual interviews. We invited patients ≥18 years old with diabetes for >1 year who utilized the 340B PCDP to fill an injectable diabetes medication at least twice between 3/1/2020-3/1/2021 to participate. Trained personnel interviewed ten participants in 11/2021-2/2022 and completed thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews.
Results: Themes included 340B feedback, benefits of 340B, consequences of being without 340B, community pharmacy experience, and use of other services. Participants deemed the 340B program as a “lifesaver.” Perceived benefits of the program included improved diabetes control and savings that made their prescriptions more affordable. Consequences of being without the program include that medication was too expensive to take as prescribed and rationing/skipping doses. Participants were pleased with the accessibility of the network of contract pharmacies and described benefiting from services supported by 340B savings.
Conclusions: Recent criticisms question whether the 340B program accomplishes its original intentions of stretching scarce federal resources to help safety-net entities expand services and treat more patients. This study provides insight into the personal impact of the 340B program on underserved patients with chronic disease accessing high-cost medication(s). Findings highlight crucial strengths of the program from the patient perspective, which policymakers and other stakeholders should consider to provide support for the continuation of these services.
