Your need-to-know highlights from the 340B Coalition Winter Conference.

By: Dennis Killian, PharmD, PhD, 340B ACE

April 11, 2023

Spring is finally here—the days are longer, the weather warmer, and the conference season in full swing! This month, we were delighted to welcome the new season alongside nearly 2,000 of our peers at the 340B Coalition’s later-than-usual Winter Conference. And as the 340B program celebrates its 30^th year, it also felt like our community was helping the program welcome its own “new season”—especially following several years of uncertainties.

The conversations left our team feeling reinvigorated and optimistic for our future. Here are the top things we heard from attendees:

1. How can I ensure our program is compliant? Requirements continue to evolve, and audit preparedness continues to be top-of-mind. We shared audit-readiness advice and best practices with some new program administrators during the conference’s “meet-and-greet” 340B audit roundtable. Learn how we can help.
   
2. What do I need to do to develop a successful 340B ESP project plan? Some covered entities continue to struggle with ESP program complexities—starting with the project plan. I heard this first-hand in a session CPS hosted: “340B Lessons from the Field: Developing a Successful 340B ESP Project Plan.” We discussed the key elements and tasks needed for optimal ESP program planning and performance. (Bonus: Here’s an attestation tip I shared with the audience and 340B Report.)
3. How do we manage contract pharmacy restrictions? Many attendees worried about medication access amid evolving contract pharmacy requirements that make dispensing more complex. Most were particularly concerned about specialty medication access, which is already difficult for patients to navigate. We encouraged administrators to consider establishing or expanding their onsite pharmacy services to ease short-term challenges and protect medication management processes from future policy changes. Learn more about how the approach could help your organization.
   
4. What do I need to do to achieve specialty pharmacy accreditation? Specialty pharmacy accreditation was another hot topic as covered entities continue to build the services into their organizations. Many attendees wondered: How can we successfully navigate all the standards and processes needed for specialty pharmacy accreditation? We suggest considering clinical management softwarewith built-in accreditation support, which guides organizations through the patient-related actions accreditation standards require. The right technology can help covered entities maintain multiple accreditations, gain access to limited distribution drug networks, and optimize pharmacy growth. See how technology can help your accreditation efforts.
5. How do we protect vital patient services? Nearly all program administrators I surveyed worried the program’s recent trends and uncertainties could ultimately impact their vital safety net patient services. The right expert partners and tools can help administrators strengthen program performance to protect and bolster services.

Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal, which is a perfect theme as we think about the year ahead for the 340B program and our talented community. Though new complexities may emerge, the Winter Conference showed me our 340B community’s continued resilience and innovation on behalf of the patients we serve. I’m inspired and hopeful about what this new season of collaboration will bring.