US Edition
Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Arkansas PBM Law
ARKANSAS, JUL 28 – The federal court halted Arkansas's law targeting pharmacy benefit managers, potentially affecting over 300,000 residents who rely on CVS pharmacy services, the company said.
- On Monday, U.S. District Judge Brian Miller issued a preliminary injunction blocking Act 624, which would have barred PBM-owned pharmacies including CVS in Arkansas.
- At the end of this spring's legislative session, Gov. Sarah Sanders signed Act 624, and CVS Caremark and Express Scripts sued Arkansas in May to block it.
- U.S. District Judge Brian Miller wrote that Act 624 `appears to overtly discriminate against plaintiffs as out-of-state companies` and prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in the state.
- Following the ruling, CVS Health said it was pleased and will work with Arkansas to reduce drug prices and ensure access to pharmacies.
- The injunction represents a setback for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders's law, with Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin stating he will appeal, as the case remains on hold since January 1, 2025.
19 Articles
19 Articles
U.S. judge blocks first-in-the-nation law barring companies from owning PBMs and pharmacies in Arkansas
In a closely watched case, a U.S. federal court judge has temporarily blocked a first-in-the-nation law that would prohibit companies that own pharmacy benefit managers from also operating both retail and mail-order pharmacies in Arkansas. The state law is designed to eliminate concerns that the largest pharmacy benefit managers — which are controlled by CVS Health, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group — favor their own pharmacy operations. Critics hav…
Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Barring Pharmacy Benefit Managers From Owning Pharmacies
A federal judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction against an Arkansas law that would have prohibited pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in the state. U.S. District Judge Brian Miller wrote in the July 28 order that HB1150, set to take effect on Aug. 5, “appears to overtly discriminate against plaintiffs as out of state companies and the state has failed to show that it has no other means to advance its interest.” Sup…
Judge blocks new state law prohibiting pharmacy plan managers from operating pharmacies | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
A federal judge has blocked implementation of a state law prohibiting out-of-state pharmacy benefits managers from operating pharmacies inside the state of Arkansas that was to go into effect in January.
Federal judge blocks Arkansas' restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers
(John Moore/Getty Images)A federal judge blocked Arkansas’ first-in-the-nation law regulating pharmacy benefit managers, stating in Monday’s order that it “likely violates” the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause and is “likely preempted” by a veterans’ health care program. Act 624 of 2025 would have banned pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from holding a permit to operate a drug store in Arkansas after Jan. 1, 2026. PBMs negotiate prescription b…
Associated Press News
Federal judge blocks Arkansas law barring pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in state
A federal judge has temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would have banned pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in the state. U.S.
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