For many Americans, the issue of rising prescription drug prices has been an ever-present topic of conversation lately. These costs have led to growing concern over the lack of access to some life-saving medication — the most recent being EpiPen.

However, a turn for the better may occur soon with the adoption of a new rule in the 340B drug pricing program, which was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to place a strict and set ceiling on drug prices. This rule is scheduled to go into effect in April, but will it survive with Donald Trump as president?

In order to fully understand the impact of the rule, it is important to know how the 340B program works. It was initially created in 1992 to help stretch diminishing federal resources to alleviating costs that were being incurred by providers who deliver care to government program enrollees. In order promote manufacturer participation, Congress made contracts with 340B entities a requirement for offering drugs in the broader Medicaid market.

The new 340B drug rule places a requirement that a pharmaceutical manufacturer charge $0.01 per unit of measure if the 340B ceiling price calculation comes out to be a ceiling price that is equal to zero, and the ceiling price must be calculated on a quarterly basis. The participation level in the 340B program has grown, with the number of facilities that are participating doubling between 2001 and 2011.

Consumer groups and other government agencies have praised the proactive nature of the rule in holding pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable. If manufacturers decide to intentionally overcharge specific providers for drugs, a they will receive a fine for the offense. Setting a ceiling on drug prices will help keep them as fair and appropriate as possible.

Opponents, however, have indicated that HHS does not have the oversight nor the authority to institute such a rule on regulating drug prices and the placement of a ceiling price. Given that there are still three months left to go before its formal implementation, those who are opposed still have time to have it repealed.

As the Obama administration winds down, the new 340B rule was an administration document that was waiting for final review. The requirement of the 340B drug rule is a significant regulation that will have to be reviewed by Trump, and the decision can be made under this administration as to whether to continue with the launch date of the rule.

Prior to his inauguration on Friday, Trump had indicated his intentions to save Medicare billions of dollars by allowing for the negotiation of drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. However, he has also made it clear in his first few days in office that reducing government regulations and repealing the Affordable Care Act are major priorities.

That leaves plenty of uncertainty about whether the 340B drug rule will still be implemented in April.