Pharmacy Managers Case Due in Court

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 27 in Arkansas' legal battle with companies that pay pharmacies on behalf of health plans, according to a court calendar released Friday.

At issue is an appeal by state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge of lower court rulings that have limited the state's ability to regulate the companies, known as pharmacy benefit managers.

In November 2018, 32 states and the District of Columbia filed a brief in support of Arkansas, saying the lower court decisions have created "confusion and uncertainty regarding States' power to regulate" the companies.

"We are now one step closer to protecting Arkansans from skyrocketing prescription drug prices by holding PBMs accountable," Rutledge said in a news release Friday. "Nationwide, rural pharmacies are faced with unfair business practices by PBMs that harm consumers and our communities."

The National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and Arkansas Pharmacists Association said Friday that they will also file a brief in the case in support of Arkansas.

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