A total of $66.3 billion in outpatient drugs was purchased through the 340B drug pricing program in 2023, according to data from the Health Resources and Services Administration released Oct. 21.
The program allows safety-net providers to obtain discounted medications. Disproportionate share hospitals accounted for the largest share of purchases, totaling $51.9 million. Other key purchasers were health center programs ($3.6 billion), children's hospitals ($2.1 billion), sexually transmitted disease clinics ($1.7 billion), and clinics funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program ($1.5 billion).
High-cost pharmaceuticals purchased through specialty channels made up 60.6% of total 340B purchases, although they accounted for only 36% of units purchased, according to the data.