The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) recently filed a lawsuit challenging Arkansas Act 624, a “fundamentally flawed law that could shutter pharmacies, restrict access to critical medications for patients and families, increase health care costs, and eliminate jobs,” according to the suit.
After filing, PCMA released the following statement:
Our lawsuit aims to protect patients in Arkansas from the implementation of this dangerous, misguided policy. If implemented, the Arkansas legislation mandating forced closures of pharmacies would have a devastating impact on patient access to critical medications and pharmacy services. Implementation of the law could eliminate convenient home delivery options for Arkansas patients, including seniors and veterans, severely jeopardize access to treatment for specialty pharmacy patients managing complex and serious conditions, like cancer, and close local retail pharmacies in the state, eliminating high-quality health care jobs and preventing patients from keeping their pharmacist.
Further, the law would sharply reduce market competition in the prescription drug space by unlawfully discriminating against certain types of pharmacies. Patients, employers, and health plan sponsors could all experience increased costs as they lose access to these pharmacy options, which can deliver significant savings.
We will continue to fight to protect patients’ access to health care and educate policymakers and stakeholders about the severe consequences of harmful legislation threatening patient access to pharmacy services.
Arkansas Act 624 Risk to Patients
According to PCMA, around 40 Arkansas pharmacies could be forced to close, disrupting care and eliminating services relied on by patients, including cancer patients, veterans, seniors and rural residents.
The press release also states that tens of thousands of veterans and military families who depend on mail-order pharmacies could lose access to affordable, convenient prescription services.
Patients with complex conditions like cancer could lose access to specialty pharmacies that provide critical support. These pharmacies offer medication management, adherence programs, and supplies to manage specialized medications. Banning specialty pharmacies would restrict access to pharmacies for these vulnerable populations, leading to worsened health outcomes.
Health care jobs statewide, including high-quality positions for pharmacists, technicians, delivery staff and support roles, could be eliminated.
Rural patients could face heightened challenges accessing their medications, with fewer nearby options and a heavy reliance on home delivery. These government-mandated pharmacy closures would undermine access to life-saving medications, the release states.
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