Novartis, PhRMA Sue West Virginia Over Contract Pharmacy Law

A West Virginia law going into effect this week that will require manufacturers to distribute discounted drugs to an unlimited number of pharmacies under a federal drug program is facing two lawsuits from the pharmaceutical industry.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America are seeking to block West Virginia’s law (S.B. 325), filing two separate challenges in the US District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on May 31.

The law, which becomes effective June 6, prohibits drugmakers who participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program from enforcing distribution restrictions on ...