Will the Arkansas PBM Law Survive A Judge’s Rejection?

As greater scrutiny envelops the largest pharmacy benefit management companies, one thing is clear: They are not going to give up without a fight.

And in that existential battle, they just notched a major win. Last week, U.S. District Judge Brian Miller blocked an Arkansas law (Act 624) that would have banned PBMs from owning and operating pharmacies in the state.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 624 into law in April, arguing that PBMs have increasingly bought pharmacies, allowing them to increase drug prices and put competitors out of business.

Shortly after, CVS Caremark , Express Scripts and PBM lobbying group Pharmaceutical Care Management Association filed separate lawsuits challenging the law.

Miller issued a preliminary injunction against the law, sta