PORTLAND, Ore. - eTradeWire -- The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) commends the state legislature and Governor Tina Kotek for passing House Bill 2385 (https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/M...). This new law protects Oregonians' access to comprehensive primary, behavioral, and oral health care services at Oregon's federally qualified community health centers (FQHCs). It also ensures that patients can access affordable, life-saving medications under the federal 340B drug pricing program.

The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to give discounts on the medications they sell to eligible safety net providers like FQHCs and hospitals. These eligible medical providers accept all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. The 340B discounts are essential to ensure patients' access to affordable medications. Moreover, safety net clinics reinvest their cost savings under 340B into services like behavioral health, dental care, and mobile clinics which further advance population health.

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Since 2020, Oregonians' access to 340B discounts has been under threat from drug manufacturers who refused to provide discounts to community health centers working with local pharmacies. Drug manufacturers' restrictions force patients to travel farther to fill prescriptions and prevent safety net providers from accessing 340B savings. OPCA surveyed members and determined that the restrictions cost Oregon FQHCs an estimated $10 million in lost savings in 2024.

"That's $10 million that should have stayed in Oregon communities and instead went into manufacturer shareholders' pockets," said Marty Carty, OPCA's Director of Government Affairs.

HB 2385 forbids pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting where these medications can be dispensed. The bill is informed by similar laws enacted in 15 states across the country (UT, NM, NE, SD, ND, MN, MO, AR, LA, MS, TN, WV, MD, CO, HI). HB 2385 also includes an essential enforcement provision which empowers the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to impose fines on non-compliant manufacturers.

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"This is a vital victory for community health," said Carty. "When drug manufacturers arbitrarily limit the number of pharmacies eligible to dispense 340B medications, it becomes harder for patients, especially in rural areas, to access the prescriptions they need. HB 2385 puts those decisions back in the hands of local providers."

OPCA thanks Representative Rob Nosse, Senator Deb Patterson, and all the members of Oregon's Legislature who voted to strengthen and protect the state's health care safety net. With this law in place, Oregon joins a growing coalition of states defending the integrity of the 340B program.