PhRMA Asks Eighth Circuit for Full Review in Drug Discount Suit

The leading drugmaker industry group is asking a federal appeals court to rehear a case that upheld an Arkansas law prohibiting manufacturer restrictions on pharmacies participating in a federal drug discount program.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is requesting a rehearing en banc from the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit after the court in March held that Arkansas’ Act 1103 is not preempted by federal law. The state law prohibits drugmakers from restricting 340B drug discounts to providers through pharmacies used in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The 340B program allows eligible health-care ...