Federal Judge Consolidates Challenges to Arkansas Pharmacy Law

Four lawsuits seeking to invalidate a first-of-its kind Arkansas law prohibiting companies that manage prescription drug benefits from acquiring pharmacies will be heard together in federal court, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The order from Judge Brian S. Miller for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas grants an unopposed motion filed by the Arkansas attorney general’s office to consolidate the cases. The challenges were brought by pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts, CVS Health Corp., and OptumRx, as well as the industry group Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

The four entities, along with affiliated pharmacies, each ...