Building Stronger 340B Partnerships with Contract Pharmacies
Contract pharmacies are critical allies in delivering affordable care under the 340B program. They expand access for patients while helping covered entities extend their reach into communities. But with manufacturer restrictions and heightened HRSA scrutiny in 2025, maintaining transparent and compliant partnerships is more important than ever.
The Value of Contract Pharmacies
According to 340B Health, contract pharmacies enable providers to offer affordable medications to patients closer to home, especially in underserved areas. The American Hospital Association (AHA) notes that these partnerships are crucial for ensuring access and affordability, particularly for uninsured and underinsured populations.
Challenges in 2025
Despite their benefits, contract pharmacy relationships can create compliance complexities:
Manufacturer Restrictions: Several drugmakers continue to limit 340B discounts at contract pharmacies.
Data Transparency Gaps: Covered entities often lack full visibility into pharmacy-level claim details.
Audit Risk: HRSA Program Integrity Updates show audits increasingly target contract pharmacy arrangements.
How Halo340B Strengthens Transparency: Halo340B was built to preserve — not disrupt — contract pharmacy relationships while ensuring compliance and maximizing savings:
Second Check Engine: Independently validates claims to identify missed opportunities without interfering in TPA processes.
Transparent Dashboards: Provide covered entities and pharmacy partners with real-time revenue and compliance insights.
Audit-Ready Documentation: Automatically generates the records needed for HRSA audits.
Relationship Preservation: Enhances trust between covered entities and pharmacies by ensuring no eligible claim goes uncaptured.
Example: A community hospital using Halo340B reported recovering an additional $650,000 annually while maintaining strong partnerships with its contract pharmacies.
