At BIO 2026, biotech and policy leaders escalated scrutiny of the 340B drug pricing program, arguing it lacks transparency and has drifted from its original goal of supporting access for vulnerable patients. Speakers pointed to the program’s growth—from a small number of nonprofit hospitals to a scale that, they said, distorts the U.S. healthcare system. Panelists cited IQVIA research presented at the conference and argued that duplicate discounts can inflate costs for patients, with one set of estimates describing large transfers to for-profit hospital systems via 340B dynamics. Novartis’ Ashley John called for clearer criteria tied to which patients are actually served. Separately, STAT+ reported Sen. Bill Cassidy introduced a bill aimed at tightening 340B, as lawmakers look for ways to reduce federal health spending and respond to pressure on hospital margins. Why it matters: 340B reform—whether through transparency rules or eligibility changes—can reshape hospital purchasing economics, payer contracting, and where manufacturers’ access strategies prioritize partners.