Drugmakers Lose Effort to Block Washington Pharmacy Law

A drug industry coalition lost its bid to block a Washington law going into effect Wednesday that regulates how drug companies contract with pharmacies in the state under the federal drug discount program.

The US District Court for the Western District of Washington on Tuesday denied requests from AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Novartis AG, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America seeking a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the state’s S.B. 5981, a law that prohibits manufacturers from imposing limitations on a pharmacy’s participation in the federal 340B drug discount program.

Under the 340B program, drugmakers ...