The Court Blocks Arkansas Law on Pharmacy Management

• The court issued a block on the law regarding pharmacy management.
• The law was intended to prohibit managers from managing pharmaceutical preparations owned by pharmacies.
• CVS stated that the closure of pharmacies negatively impacts consumers.

Little Rock, Arkansas. A federal judge temporarily blocked the first in-state law in Arkansas that prohibited managers from managing pharmaceutical preparations (PBM) owned by pharmacies in the state.

Judge Brian Miller issued a preliminary injunction against the law that restricts managers from managing pharmaceutical preparations, which are responsible for covering prescriptions for large clients, including insurance companies and employers that provide coverage.

The Republican governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the law limiting earlier this year, and it was set to take effect on September 5. CVS and Express Scripts filed lawsuits against the state regarding this law.

Miller noted that the law "clearly discriminates against providers from companies in other states, and the state does not have the means to ensure that it has the means to promote its interests."

The Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin expressed concern over the court's decision and plans to file an appeal.

Proponents of the Arkansas law assert that it is necessary, as managers of pharmaceutical preparations will force independent pharmacies, especially in rural areas, to close. CVS and Express Scripts in their lawsuits stated that this restriction will have a detrimental impact on consumers if the law is implemented.

CVS, which suspended television advertising with Sanders due to the legislation, stated that it would close its 23 retail pharmacies in the state if the law becomes effective. The company expressed satisfaction with the court's decision.

"We continue to focus on providing services to people in Arkansas and are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with the state to reduce drug prices and ensure access to pharmacies," the statement from CVS reads.

Arkansas is one of several states where lawmakers have begun working on regulating managers of pharmaceutical preparations.

Tags: USA/Politics