|
Q:
What is the purpose of the Office of Pharmacy Affairs
database?
A:
The OPA database is the primary means for
drug manufacturers and wholesalers to determine the
eligibility status of customers who wish to purchase
drugs under the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The OPA
database provides the most current information OPA
has on participating entities, contracted pharmacy
arrangements, and drug manufacturers (residing in
three separate databases). New participating entities
do not become active in the database until the start
of a new quarter.
Q:
What is the difference between “participating” entity
database feature and the “all” entity database feature?
A:
The “participating” entity database includes
all entities currently participating in the 340B Drug
Pricing Program for the present quarter. The “all”
entity database includes all of the current participating
entities as well as the entities who participated
at one time but are no longer participating in the
present quarter.
Q:
Is there a document that explains all of the terms
used in the database fields?
A:
Yes.
Visit
http://opanet.hrsa.gov/opa/Login/DatabaseNotes.aspx
and
http://opanet.hrsa.gov/opa/Login/TerminationCodes.aspx.
Q:
How often do you add new entities to the database?
A:
New entities are added to the database on
a quarterly basis (Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, October
1).
Q:
How can I get a list of all entities that are participating
in the 340B Program?
A:
340B Participating Entities are listed in
the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) databases, a
database maintained by the OPA and the HRSA Pharmacy
Services Support Center .
To
access the 340B entity database, go to the Office
of Pharmacy Affairs web site at www.hrsa.gov/opa
and select the second bullet point entitled “Databases:
Covered Entities, Contracted Pharmacies & Participating
Manufacturers Data Extracts plus Medicaid Exclusion
Files.” For your convenience, the direct link to the
Participating Entity Database is provided: http://opanet.hrsa.gov/opa/CE/CEExtract.aspx.
To download the complete 340B entity database for
the quarter, search by keeping all of the fields marked
“All” except the “participating” field marked “Yes.”
Select the "Download to Access File" as
the output type. The database base will open in whatever
database format your system supports. Submit your
search. Click on the link “Access File 2000” and save
the file to your desktop or to a folder that is accessible.
It will take a few minutes to download the complete
database.
You
do not need to download the database to access the
list of participating entities. You may perform a
search directly from the database located at OPA's
Web site.
The
best way to search for an individual covered entity
is by city, state, entity type, ID number, or zip
code. If you search by entity name, you'll have to
enter in the name exactly as it appears in the database
from which the searching function extracts. The field
is case sensitive and some words may be abbreviated
in the database system. The ID number, if known, is
the most efficient way to search for a covered entity.
Q:
How do I search for a covered entity in the OPA database?
A:
The best way to search for a covered entity
is by city, state, entity type, ID number, or zip
code. If you search by entity name, you'll have to
enter in the name exactly as it appears in the database
that the searching function pulls from. The field
is case sensitive and some words may be abbreviated
in the database system. The ID number, if known, is
the most efficient way to search for a covered entity.
Q:
Our 340B record needs to be updated. How do we go
about doing this?
A:
Contact the PSSC at 800-628-6297 or pssc@aphanet.org.
Q:
How soon will OPA post our change of information to
the database once we submit it?
A:
The OPA staff will get your changes posted
as soon as possible. You can check the status of those
changes by checking the OPA database. The edit date
will have the date your record was change and comments
will address what has been changed. Be sure to have
your ID number handy.
|
