William H. von Oehsen III

Principal

William von Oehsen, a principal in the firm, has extensive experience in general health law, legislation and policy, especially in the areas of pharmaceutical pricing, food and drug law, materials management, managed care and third party reimbursement.  In the food and drug area, Mr. von Oehsen guides companies through the FDA's premarket clearance process; assists companies with product development strategies; provides labeling, advertising, manufacturing and import/export advice; and handles other issues that arise during the progression from initial clinical testing through commercial distribution.  He has assisted clients with respect to the development and distribution of medical devices, biologics, food, food additives, dietary supplements, animal feeds, and cosmetics.  He has also defended clients against FDA enforcement actions.  In the drug pricing area, Mr. von Oehsen's expertise extends to the Public Health Service 340B drug discount program, the Medicaid rebate program, Robinson-Patman, state price control initiatives, and third party coverage and payment of pharmaceutical care.  Mr. von Oehsen has testified before the U.S. Congress and numerous state legislatures and provided technical assistance to federal and state policy makers in both the legislative and executive branches.  He has also handled litigation matters involving pharmaceutical pricing.  He organized in 1993 and continues to represent Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (formerly the Public Hospital Pharmacy Coalition), an organization of several hundred non-profit high-Medicaid hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program.  Mr. von Oehsen joined the Firm in January 2002.

Mr. von Oehsen is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.  He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1988 and a masters from Harvard University in 1984.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1981.  Mr. von Oehsen participates in a number of professional organizations including the Food and Drug Law Institute (where he was an Annual Scholar) and the American Health Lawyers Association.  He was also a founding director of the Family AIDS Housing Foundation, now called Building Futures: Family AIDS Housing.  Mr. von Oehsen is co-author of a book entitled Managed Care Manual: Medicaid, Medicare and State Health Reform.  He has lectured and published numerous articles on issues relating to pharmaceutical pricing and food and drug law.  Mr. von Oehsen’s 2001 publication, Pharmaceutical Discounts Under Federal Law: State Program Opportunities, is available through the National Conference of State Legislatures and was cited in briefs submitted to the US Supreme Court in connection with the celebrated case of PhRMA versus the State of Maine.

Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville is a Washington, DC-based law firm that focuses on health care, education and the law of tax-exempt organizations. 

News & Publications

• Glossary of Drug Pricing and Other Pharmaceutical Terms (2007 Update)
• PPSV Plays Important Role in Nation's Largest Medicaid Fraud Settlement
• Pharmaceutical Discounts Under Federal Law: State Program Opportunities
• Managed Care Manual: Medicaid, Medicare and State Health Reform.
• Pharmaceutical Discounts Under Federal Law: State Program Opportunities (2001)

Professional Activities

• American Health Lawyers Association
• Safety Net Hospitals for Pharmaceutical Access (SNHPA, formerly the Public Hospital Pharmacy Coalition)
• Food and Drug Law Institute
• Building Futures/Family AIDS Housing
• DC Bar