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Enforcement Trends in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Lewis Morris Chief Counsel Office of Inspector General, DHHS. Overview. Review of OIG work related to Medicaid and Medicare Part B drugs Describe OIG priorities in response to MMA Discuss preventative measures you may wish to consider.
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Enforcement Trends in the Pharmaceutical Industry Lewis Morris Chief Counsel Office of Inspector General, DHHS
Overview • Review of OIG work related to Medicaid and Medicare Part B drugs • Describe OIG priorities in response to MMA • Discuss preventative measures you may wish to consider
Review of 340B Drug Prices • Objective: determine if 340B drug pricing program participants received the required discount prices. • Method: compare CMS’ calculations of the ceiling price to the invoice prices paid by 37 sampled providers. • Findings: Identified significant discrepancies between invoice prices and 340B ceiling prices.
Review of 340B Drug Prices • Problems identified with the underlying data after the report’s release • OIG was given ceiling prices for the wrong time period • Questions regarding application of package size information in the ceiling price calculation • Conducting a more systemic review of the accuracy and completeness of the data used to calculate 340B prices
Completed MMA-related Work • Civil Monetary Penalties related to Medicare-endorsed drug discount cards. • Guidance on outreach efforts between endorsed card sponsors and network pharmacies. • Review of end stage renal disease (ESRD) drug costs
Additional OIG Work Related to MMA • Monitoring Part B Prices (AWP Reform) • Utilization of Drugs and Services • Access to Drugs • Competitive Bidding Process • Part D Drug Benefit • Calculation of Aver. Mnf. Price
Troubling Industry Practices • Misreporting wholesale prices and marketed the “spread” • Suppressing negative research findings on a product • Knowingly failing to report price concessions made to purchasers • Offering and giving physicians kickbacks to induce the ordering of products
Additional Troubling Practices • “Wining and dining” high prescribers • Excessive consultant fees • Free samples that are to be billed to the health care programs. • Illegal promotion of off-label uses • Part D Discount card fraud • Providing bogus research grants
Suggested Compliance Self-Assessment Questions • Does the compliance office substantial authority and adequate resources? • Is the board of directors well informed about the compliance function? • Has the company too narrowly construed the compliance function?
Suggested Compliance Self-Assessment Questions • Has the organization inappropriately limited what are considered “compliance issues”? • Have you considered the structure of theorganization when designing compliance training? • Do you know your company’s pricing practices and systems?
Suggested Compliance Self-Assessment Questions • Do you understand the marketing techniques available to your sales force, and the procedures required to use those tools? • Do you know what message is being delivered about your products? • What steps are taken in instances of non-compliance?