340B Prescription Drug Program
The 340B Prescription Drug Program supports our role as a safety-net provider in offering vital healthcare services in the communities we serve. The program is only for hospitals that provide a high level of services to low-income individuals or serve isolated rural communities.
Within the program, pharmaceutical companies must agree to sell drugs used on an outpatient basis to safety-net providers at a discounted rate. Between 2022 and 2023, drug prices rose on average 15% for over 4,200 drugs. The 340B savings allow providers to stretch federal resources further and allow hospitals to continue providing critical services.
Pharmaceutical companies have not been eager to comply with the 340B program. More and more pharmaceutical companies deny access to 340B pricing for drugs dispensed through community or specialty pharmacies, causing harm to patient care as 80% of rural counties rely on a contract pharmacy to access medication.
Adventist Health has 17 hospitals participating in the 340B program. The savings allow for our hospitals to reinvest into the community. Without 340B, the provided and essential services that our communities rely upon would be significantly limited.
Markets participating in the 340B program include:
- Adventist Health Bakersfield
- Adventist Health Castle
- Adventist Health Clear Lake
- Adventist Health Glendale
- Adventist Health Hanford
- Adventist Health Howard Memorial
- Adventist Health Lodi Memorial
- Adventist Health Mendocino Coast
- Adventist Health Portland
- Adventist Health Reedley
- Adventist Health and Rideout
- Adventist Health St. Helena
- Adventist Health Sonora
- Adventist Health Tillamook
- Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley
- Adventist Health Ukiah Valley
- Adventist Health White Memorial
The savings realized through the 340B program helps support community programs like:
- Free wellness visits, screenings and vaccinations or school aged children and vulnerable populations
- Providing medication to individuals at no cost
- Transportation to appointments, health education classes and support groups
- Access to specialty care programs
- Financial Assistance for medical visits, surgeries and medical supplies