AstraZeneca, AbbVie Lose Minnesota Contract Pharmacy Law Suit

A federal court denied pharmaceutical companies’ challenges of a Minnesota law requiring drugmakers to offer discounted medications to a potentially unlimited number of pharmacies that partner with safety net facilities in the state.

Judge David S. Doty from the US District Court for the District of Minnesota on Thursday granted the state’s motion to dismiss complaints from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and Abbvie Inc. alleging that Minnesota’s statute 62J.96 expanded the scope of the federal 340B law and is unconstitutional.

Under the federal 340B program, drugmakers are required to discount drugs for covered entities, such as qualifying hospitals, clinics, and providers, ...