AstraZeneca Fails to Block Colorado Contract Pharmacy Regulation

A leading drugmaker faced another setback Wednesday in its bid to block state laws that dictate how manufacturers can supply federally discounted drugs to pharmacies.

The US District Court for the District of Colorado denied AstraZeneca PLC’s request to temporarily block Colorado’s 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act from going into effect while its lawsuit proceeds.

The company claimed that federal law prevented Colorado from applying additional conditions on how AstraZeneca can distribute medications under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

That program requires manufacturers to offer discounts on drugs to covered entities—including qualifying hospitals, clinics, and providers—that treat a ...