US EditionFederal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Arkansas PBM Law
PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, JUL 28 – A federal judge blocked the law citing likely violations of the Commerce Clause and discrimination against out-of-state companies, with CVS warning 23 pharmacies could close if enforced.
- A federal judge in Little Rock temporarily blocked Arkansas Act 624, finding it likely to violate the Commerce Clause and appear to discriminate against out-of-state companies.
- By signing Arkansas Act 624 earlier this year, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders aimed to protect independent rural pharmacies, but a federal judge recently blocked it from taking effect.
- Judge Miller found the law appears to overtly discriminate against out-of-state companies, citing the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause, and noted plaintiffs are likely to prevail.
- The case is expected to proceed to trial, and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin plans to appeal, after CVS warned it would have to close its two retail pharmacies if the law takes effect.
- Looking toward January 1, 2026, CVS and Express Scripts warned that the law could force pharmacy closures and leave over 300,000 Arkansans without access, the judge said.
28 Articles
28 Articles
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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