Le Lézard
Classified in: Health
Subject: AVO

NACDS: U.S. Supreme Court Precedents Side with Arkansas Move to Regulate PBMs


WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- An amicus brief by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) urges the U.S. Supreme Court to stand by its precedents and uphold an Arkansas law that "prevents [pharmacy benefit managers] PBM contracts from reimbursing pharmacies at low rates that do not cover the costs of purchasing and dispensing expensive prescription medications, which presently results in pharmacies taking a loss for dispensed prescriptions."

NACDS said, "In addressing such losses, Arkansas's legislature has chosen to ensure that pharmacies can keep their doors open to patients."

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision against an Arkansas law that ensures pharmacy reimbursement rates cover pharmacies' costs of purchasing drugs. The case that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider is Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association. The question is whether the Eighth Circuit erred in holding that Arkansas's statue regulating PBMs' drug-reimbursement rates, which is similar to laws enacted by about 40 other states, is preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

NACDS argues, "Under a straightforward application of this Court's precedents, Arkansas's law is not preempted. It does not refer to ERISA plans, has only an attenuated connection to ERISA plans, and serves laudable policy goals unrelated to the purposes of ERISA. The Court should resolve this case narrowly and leave those precedents intact, rather than using this case as a vehicle to make broad changes to preemption law."

In further summarizing the argument, the brief states:

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case on April 27, 2020.

 

SOURCE National Association of Chain Drug Stores


These press releases may also interest you

at 08:20
In celebration of National Doctors' Day on March 30, patients across the country are sharing personal stories about how their MDVIP-affiliated primary care physician has made a difference in their life. MDVIP collected and will deliver to its network...

at 08:17
AMIGOS FOR KIDS, a Miami nonprofit organization founded in 1991, is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by valuing children, strengthening families and educating communities. ...

at 08:15
Maverix Medical, a dedicated lung cancer platform established by Ajax Health, KKR, and Hologic, Inc., today announced the acquisition of Cirrus Bio for an undisclosed amount....

at 08:03
The American Red Cross celebrates The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, for its substantial donation of $7.35 million. The gift will help purchase blood equipment and biomedical emergency vehicles and will...

at 08:00
A Canada-wide Settlement Agreement was recently reached in a class action against Cook (Canada) Inc., Cook Incorporated, and William Cook Europe APS ("Cook") related to certain inferior vena cava filter products ("IVC Filter Products") marketed and...

at 08:00
Alebund Pharmaceuticals ("Alebund" or the "Company"), an integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing innovative therapies for the treatment of renal diseases and related chronic conditions, announced today that the US Food and Drug...



News published on and distributed by: