Avion Pharmaceuticals Supports New Guidance for Women's Access to FDA-Approved Contraceptives

The US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury have issued new guidance urging compliance with existing Affordable Care Act laws, requiring patients to have access to FDA-approved contraceptive products without out-of-pocket costs. This updated guidance reaffirms the importance of women's access to preventative care and contraception, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to offer a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive products without cost sharing. Avion Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Alora Pharmaceuticals, has expressed its support for this new guidance, stating that every woman should have access to the full range of appropriate birth control products and services as prescribed by their healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways:

• The US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury have issued new guidance urging compliance with existing Affordable Care Act laws, requiring patients to have access to FDA-approved contraceptive products without out-of-pocket costs.
• The guidance reaffirms the importance of women's access to preventative care and contraception, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to offer a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive products without cost sharing.
• The updated HRSA Women's Preventive Services Guidelines, which take effect for plan years beginning 2023, restate the requirement that women have access to the full range of FDA-approved, granted or cleared contraceptives, contraceptive counseling, and associated follow-up care as part of the preventative services available without cost sharing.
• Michael Sullivan, President of Avion Pharmaceuticals, stated that the company fully supports the new guidance aimed at increasing compliance and believes that every woman should have access to the full range of appropriate birth control products and services as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
• Recent data from HHS show that more than 230 million people with private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare are eligible to receive preventive services, including contraception, without cost-sharing under the ACA.
• The new Federal guidance encourages consumers to report concerns if they experience issues obtaining contraceptives deemed medically appropriate for them.
• Several members of Congress, including Senators Dianne Feinstein of California and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, have actively supported the new guidance.
• Avion Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring, and marketing innovative pharmaceutical products in various therapeutic categories, including women's health and neurology.

Statistics:

• Over 230 million people with private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare are eligible to receive preventive services, including contraception, without cost-sharing under the ACA (HHS, 2022).
• The new HRSA Women's Preventive Services Guidelines will take effect for plan years beginning 2023, requiring healthcare providers to offer a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive products without cost sharing (HRSA, 2022).

Sources:

• Alora Pharmaceuticals, LLC (2022). About Alora Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
• Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (2022). About Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022). News Release: New Guidance to Support Women's Access to Contraception.
• U.S. Department of Labor (2022). News Release: New Guidance on Women's Preventive Services.