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The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has praised recent advances in pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, highlighting significant developments in Arkansas and Massachusetts.
On January 2, 2025, the Arkansas Legislative Council voted to adopt Rule 128 to permanently ensure fair practices by PBMs. This regulation mandates that PBMs reimburse pharmacies at equitable rates, enforces Arkansas’ 2018 PBM law, and ensures out-of-state PBMs comply with state regulations. The change is expected to protect Arkansans’ access to local pharmacies by holding PBMs accountable.
Massachusetts's state legislature approved a new PBM oversight bill on December 30, 2024. Governor Maura Healy signed the bill into law on January 8, 2025. NACDS urged Massachusetts lawmakers to continue pursuing comprehensive reforms to strengthen oversight and accountability of PBMs.
These state-level actions reflect a growing movement toward meaningful PBM reform nationwide. In 2024 alone, 24 states passed 33 bills, making 74 policy changes aligned with NACDS’ priorities. Between 2021 and 2023, over 131 new PBM reform laws were enacted across the country.
NACDS President and CEO Steven Anderson emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating, “Arkansas and Massachusetts are part of a larger effort to combat the ‘pharmaceutical benefit manipulation’ that drives up prescription drug costs, limits pharmacy choice, and forces closures of community pharmacies. Comprehensive PBM reform is essential at both state and federal levels to counteract PBMs’ efforts to undermine these initiatives.”
NACDS has called on federal and state governments to work together to reduce prescription drug costs, protect patients’ access to trusted pharmacies, and end PBM practices that jeopardize pharmacy operations. The association is also urging the 119th U.S. Congress to prioritize passing PBM reform legislation developed in 2023-2024.
For more details, visit the NACDS Access Agenda microsite.
