Florida Cancer Specialists Leaders Propose 340B Oncology Reform

The commentary, titled "A Patient-Centered Reconstruction of 340B in Oncology: Transparency, Equity, and Site-of-Care Accountability," appears in the latest issue of Evidence-Based Oncology. It argues that the 340B program—originally created in 1992 to help healthcare entities purchase discounted drugs—has drifted from its mission as oncology drug spending within the program continues to climb. The authors contend that current eligibility often favors institutional ownership structures rather than documented patient need.

To correct this, the physicians propose a stricter framework requiring standardized public reporting, independent audits, and clear evidence that savings translate into tangible patient outcomes. They suggest that hospitals and clinics should demonstrate how 340B benefits support services like transportation assistance, medication adherence, and reduced patient cost-sharing. By shifting the focus away from administrative fees and intermediary arrangements, the authors believe the program can better fulfill its intended purpose of expanding access to high-quality care in community settings.