Arkansas just passed House Bill 1150, making it illegal for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to own or hold permits for retail pharmacies in the state—starting January 1, 2026.
The law aims to eliminate conflicts of interest (think: “fox guarding the henhouse”) by stopping PBMs from controlling both drug pricing and pharmacy operations.
🧾 Key Points:
PBMs and affiliates can’t hold pharmacy permits (including mail-order).
Permits will be revoked or not renewed after Jan 1, 2026.
Exceptions include:
Temporary 90-day permits for rare drugs (sunsets Sept 1, 2027)
Extensions for critical services if the pharmacy is being sold
In-house pharmacies serving only a company’s employees
On October 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2024 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.
The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help more than 10 million people with coverage of Medicare premiums and, in most cases, other cost sharing. In their continued efforts to improve access to health care and lower costs for millions of Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, recently finalized a rule to streamline enrollment in MSPs, making coverage more affordable for an estimated 860,000 people. In addition, the Part D low‑income subsidy (LIS) helps pay for … to continue reading click here.
