Express Scripts, a unit of The Cigna Group, along with several of its affiliated pharmacies, has filed a lawsuit in Arkansas federal court seeking to overturn a state law. The law, set to take effect next year, would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies within Arkansas.
This legal challenge follows similar action by CVS and underscores the industry's opposition to legislation that directly impacts the integrated business models of major PBMs. Supporters of the Arkansas law argue it is necessary to protect independent pharmacies, particularly in rural areas, from being forced to close.
The lawsuit contends that the state's law may violate the U.S. Constitution, posing a significant legal and operational challenge for Cigna's Evernorth Health Services segment. The outcome of this litigation could have broader implications for PBM regulations across other states considering similar restrictions.
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