Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed House Bill 1150 into law in April, prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies in Arkansas. This legislation, effective in 2026, is the first of its kind in the U.S.

Though there has been significant momentum to reduce drug prices in America, previous legislation surrounding PBMs has stopped short of an outright ban on pharmacy ownership. Sanders defended this bill, stating that PBMs have "taken advantage of lax regulations to abuse customers" and "inflate drug prices." This legislation is a great first step in reforming the current -- and problematic -- drug pricing system in the U.S.

PBMs are third-party administrators that manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of insurers and employers.

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