What does the 340B Drug Pricing Program mean for a rural hospital and the patients it serves? For Sidney Regional Medical Center, the answer goes far beyond prescription drug discounts. As a critical access hospital in western Nebraska, SRMC relies on the resources provided through 340B to help support essential healthcare services and keep care available close to home.
In a recent article published by Health Affairs Forefront, an SRMC pharmacist shares his firsthand perspective on 340B, rural pharmacy, and the challenges facing critical access hospitals. The article, “We Make For Poor Bandits: A Rural Pharmacist’s Answer to the 340B ‘Grift,’” examines the debate surrounding the 340B program and challenges the idea that all participating hospitals should be viewed through the same lens.
From the perspective of a pharmacist working at a 25-bed rural hospital, the impact of 340B is personal. The program helps support services such as oncology care and specialty pharmacy—services that can make a significant difference for patients who might otherwise have to travel hours to receive treatment.
Watch the accompanying video and read the full article below to learn more about 340B, rural healthcare, prescription drug costs, and why protecting access to care in rural communities matters.
Read the full article on Health Affairs Forefront