Pete Mihalick previously worked on health policy issues on Capitol Hill and with the National Community Pharmacists Association, where he focused on drug pricing and patient access concerns. He now serves as health policy and advocacy director for the International Hearing Society and continues to follow developments in the 340B program.
Topics
Appearances (1)
2026-04-14
Peter Mihalick Explains the Challenges of the 340B Drug Pricing ProgramIn the latest episode of the Health Policy Podcast, Peter Mihalick, Advocacy Director at the International Hearing Society, discusses the challenges of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Mihalick highlights how the program, designed to provide outpatient drugs at discounted rates to eligible facilities, often fails to benefit patients directly due to loose regulations and the lack of transparency in the system. He emphasizes the need for reforms to ensure that the savings from the program are passed on to patients in need.
Notable quotes
“The real issue is though, is that none of the directives from Congress in establishing the program force the hospitals or clinics to actually provide anything for those particular patients.”
“One of the biggest issues... was affordability and adherence.”
“Unfortunately, a lot of these hospitals don't have their own sort of pharmacy programs, so they rely on what are known as contract pharmacies to distribute the drugs.”
“There is a recognition that this needs to be addressed sooner or later if only for the issue of affordability of drugs for the patients.”
“There has to be a better system out there, whether that's the free market comes out with it or just some smart endeavors by elected officials in Congress.”
“The Affordable Healthcare Act... led to an increase in eligibility for Medicaid, which drove the cost of the program up.”
