Black Pharmacists Advocate for 340B
For over 30 years, the federal 340B Drug Pricing program (340B) has enabled covered entities to be the healthcare safety-net for vulnerable Americans. The Los Angeles Sentinel recently published an article by three black pharmacists, Dr. Kenneth Schell, Dr. John Clark, and Dr. Anthony Jackson. In the article, they share their deep concern about the political probing of the 340B program and unanimously praise the program’s necessity to serve black and brown communities.
“We, the pharmacists, are the trusted voices who provide and administer immediate solutions for the healthcare ecosystem,” they declare. “As front-line providers, our voices as pharmacists amplify the needs of our patients; from hospitals to community pharmacies, we serve tirelessly and give voice to those in need of medication access and healthcare.”
Sadly, poverty is the reality for many Americans:
- 37.5 million people fall below the federal poverty line.
- People of color are most at risk for increased disparities in healthcare, nutrition, and treatment options.
“In our work, we witness the multitude of patients needing treatment, with many having to choose between medication and food,” the pharmacists say. “Patient assistance programs are not enough to offset the vast needs of individuals experiencing financial hardships and managing chronic disease diagnoses and treatments.”
The pharmacists express deep concern about the constant attacks on the 340B program, which jeopardizes the health of millions of Americans, particularly black and brown Americans. “There should never be an option to compromise the clinical frontline workforce. Black and brown communities remain the most vulnerable,” they state.
The 340B program is necessary for qualified hospitals and covered entities to provide low-cost and no-cost medications and services to some of the country’s most underserved and needy. Continued attacks on the program from drug companies who no longer wish to do their part could widen the healthcare equity divide.
Read the full article: https://lasentinel.net/black-pharmacists-stand-as-advocates-in-support-of-340b-access-to-care.html
