Arkansas has taken a decisive stance against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by enacting legislation that will prohibit them from owning and operating pharmacies starting January 1, 2026. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders highlighted the negative impact PBMs have on drug prices and competition. This law targets major PBMs such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx, which control a significant portion of the U.S. prescription market. In response, PBMs have filed lawsuits claiming the law is unconstitutional and detrimental to pharmacy services and employment in the state, warning of potential closures and increased drug costs for Arkansans.
With Act 624 signed into law, the Arkansas legislature and governor are forcing 23 community pharmacies to close by January 1, 2026, including some of the very few that are open 24 hours; fire more than 500 local healthcare workers; erode access to specialized pharmacy care for the 10,000 Arkansas patients with serious conditions who rely on additional support; and increase the cost of Arkansas health benefits by millions of dollars each year.
If this law takes effect in January, hundreds of thousands of Arkansans will be left scrambling to navigate the forced closure of pharmacies and finding new ways to get their medicines and critical clinical support.
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