Little Rock, Arkansas — Two new laws aimed at enhancing patient access to prescription medications will take effect Tuesday, prompted by strong legislative backing during the recent session.
Act 52 removes the previous restrictions on nonprofit hospitals establishing retail pharmacies, a change supporters believe will significantly improve access to medications, particularly in underserved regions. With the new law, hospitals are permitted to set up pharmacies within 250 yards of their facilities and can operate in conjunction with infusion centers. Additionally, hospitals can now establish one pharmacy for every 100 beds available.
Another significant piece of legislation, Act 630, prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting medication distribution to select out-of-state pharmacies. Advocates claim this law will help eliminate delays associated with mail-only delivery services, enabling more Arkansas pharmacies to dispense specialized medications. Backers of the law, including CARTI and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, argue it will broaden access to vital cancer medications and treatment options available through clinical trials.
State Representative Brandon Achor, a Republican from Maumelle and the sponsor of Act 630, emphasized the urgency of immediate access to medications for patients. “These patients should not be contingent on an airplane or a FedEx truck,” he stated, highlighting the need for timely access to essential pharmaceuticals.
A separate law, Act 624, aims to restrict pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from holding pharmacy licenses within Arkansas. However, this legislation has been temporarily halted by a federal court ruling. The state has appealed the decision, asserting that the law is crucial for safeguarding independent pharmacies against what they describe as predatory practices by larger PBMs, which include companies like CVS Caremark, OptumRx, and Express Scripts.
In many cases, PBMs manage the majority of prescription drug claims in the United States and have faced allegations of directing patients toward their affiliated pharmacies rather than providing unbiased choices. The ongoing legal battle emphasizes the complexities surrounding the pharmaceutical distribution system in the state.
As these new laws take effect, Arkansas is poised to enhance the accessibility of prescription medications, addressing long-standing concerns over patient access and equitable healthcare.
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