Pa. hospital warned over discounted-drug program

Federal officials have ordered Aliquippa (Pa.) Community Hospital to stop offering discounted drugs to certain patients participating in a federal program designed especially for under-served patients. The Health Resources Services Administration, which administers the 340B Drug Pricing Program, said some of the people participating in the program at Aliquippa were not considered patients of the hospital in a broad sense as their doctors were not directly affiliated with the hospital. The agency warned that if the situation was not rectified immediately the hospital could be removed from the program and could be forced to reimburse drug manufacturers for discounts. Aliquippa, which is financially struggling, received approval Jan. 1 to participate in the program. At deadline, hospital officials could not be reached for comment. -- by Cinda Becker