The Biotechnology Innovation Organization announced on March 26 that its national survey found broad voter support for lowering drug costs through reforms targeting the 340B Drug Pricing Program, with 87% of respondents backing increased transparency and accountability in the program, as a similar debate intensifies in California.
The organization said this level of support is similar to that for other measures, such as pharmacy benefit manager rebate pass-throughs, lower co-pays, and reduced system markups. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, 2025, by KAConsulting, according to a March 2026 BIO article.
The topic has drawn attention from policymakers. On Feb. 2, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy said a “serious lack of transparency” in the 340B drug program prevents discounts from translating into “better access or lower costs for patients.” He requested information from Apexus, the 340B prime vendor, regarding how it generates revenue and structures its business practices.
Created by Congress in 1992, the 340B Drug Pricing Program requires Medicaid-participating manufacturers to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to eligible “covered entities,” with the Health Resources and Services Administration overseeing the program. However, recent Government Accountability Office reviews warn of persistent vulnerabilities such as duplicate discounts and gaps around contract pharmacies. The GAO recommends further actions to strengthen oversight, according to its report.
In California, charity care averages just 1.7% of total operating costs at 340B hospitals, according to PhRMA’s California state profile, and 83% of those hospitals fall below the national hospital average. The report also found that from 2014 to 2022, assets rose 73% while charity care dropped 49%, fueling concerns that financial growth is outpacing patient benefit.
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization describes itself as the world’s largest advocacy association for biotechnology, representing companies and institutions across healthcare and industrial biotech sectors in more than thirty nations.
