States Seek to Rein in Rx Costs and Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Summary

Prescription drug costs and their impact on medical coverage have drawn the attention of state and federal lawmakers. While Congress continues to debate the best approach to control these costs, states have moved ahead with an assortment of measures in recent years. Since the US Supreme Court in late 2020 upheld a state law regulating certain contract terms between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and network pharmacies, more states have taken the opportunity to regulate PBM contract provisions that lawmakers view as abusive to pharmacists and/or their patients.