Novartis, AbbVie Lose Bid to Block Maine Contract Pharmacy Law

Novartis AG and AbbVie Inc. became the latest drugmakers to face setbacks in their attempts to block state regulations that dictate how manufacturers can supply federally discounted drugs to pharmacies.

A federal judge from the US District Court for the District of Maine on Tuesday shot down the drugmakers’ bid to temporarily block Maine’s Protect Health Care for Rural and Underserved Communities Act from going into effect while their lawsuits proceed.

The drugmakers claim the law—which bans any attempt by manufacturers to restrict the acquisition of drugs discounted through a federal program known as 340B—is preempted by the federal 340 ...