Featured Guest: Dennis Kimbrell
What Is The 340 B Drug Pricing Program?
The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a federal initiative that allows eligible healthcare organizations to purchase prescription medications at discounted rates. In turn, those savings help both the patients and the community.
The program was created over 30 years ago to:
- Make essential medications more affordable
- Help safety-net providers stretch limited federal funding
- Expand access to care for underserved populations
Who Qualifies for the 340B Program?
Not every facility can use 340B pricing. Only organizations called covered entities — which care for large numbers of uninsured or low-income patients — are eligible.
These include:
- Rural hospitals
- HIV clinics
- Children's hospitals
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — like MedLink Georgia
How It Works in a Pharmacy Setting
At Medlink, pharmacy services play a major role in how the 340B Program directly benefits patients.
- MedLink purchases medications at 20–50% off standard prices
- These savings are passed directly to qualifying patients
- All MedLink locations are registered and approved for the program
- The discounts ensure affordability, especially for patients without insurance
"The goal being to improve access to affordable medications… particularly for an uninsured patient or a low-income patient."
Who Can Receive 340B-Priced Medications?
At MedLink, patients must meet three key criteria:
- Be a MedLink patient – They must receive healthcare services through MedLink
- Visit a registered MedLink facility – All locations qualify
- See a MedLink provider – The provider must be employed or contracted by MedLink
These steps ensure the program benefits those actively receiving care within the MedLink system.
Real Impact on Patients
Rising drug prices make it harder for families to stay on necessary medications. For many patients, 340B access means:
- Lower, predictable prices
- Improved Medication adherence
- Better health outcomes
Benefiting the Community
The savings generated through the 340B program go beyond helping individual patients—they strengthen entire communities by supporting vital health initiatives. Medlink can reinvest these funds to:
- Open new clinics in areas where access to care is limited
- Expand essential services, including pediatrics, dental care, and diagnostic imaging
- Extend clinic hours to better serve working families and individuals with limited availability
- Enhance prevention and outreach efforts, such as health education programs and screenings
These investments help ensure that high-quality, affordable care is available to those who need it most.
Final Thoughts: Advancing Better Health for Everyone
The 340B Drug Pricing Program does more than offer medication discounts – it helps MedLink Georgia meet the healthcare of entire communities, especially in rural and low-income areas.
💡 If you're a MedLink patient, ask your provider or pharmacist how 340B might help reduce your medication costs.
Need Help or Have Questions?
📍 Visit your nearest MedLink location across Georgia
📞 Call us or request an appointment online
💙 MedLink is here to help — one patient, one prescription, one community at a time.
