Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.

The Trump administration has revised the terms of a pilot effort that will allow some drugmakers to offer rebates to certain hospitals and clinics for purchased medicines, a controversial move that may transform a key tenet of a federal drug discount program.

The anticipated pilot for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, will allow pharmaceutical companies to provide “timely” rebates, rather than offering upfront discounts. The program targets specific drugs and pharmaceutical companies that are involved in the first two rounds of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.

“This revised pilot helps modernize program oversight by improving visibility into 340B transactions while helping preserve the program’s long-term sustainability for the patients and communities it was created to serve,” said Tom Engels, who heads the Health Resources and Services Administration, the government agency that oversees the program, in a statement.