Dive Brief:

Pharmacy associations are coming to the defense of a controversial Iowa law restricting the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers in a case in front of a federal appeals court.

The National Community Pharmacists Association, Iowa Pharmacy Association, American Pharmacists Association and Independent Pharmacy Cooperative filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday arguing that the law is legal and urging the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to allow it to stand.

The groups, which represent independent community pharmacies, say that PBM actions targeted by Iowa’s law are driving unaffiliated pharmacies out of business and harming patient access to drugs. Meanwhile, the employer and health plan plaintiffs seeking to overturn the law argue it will significantly raise cost

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