Supreme Court Declines PhRMA Appeal on Arkansas Drug Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), effectively upholding Arkansas's Act 1103, which mandates drug discounts for third-party pharmacies under the federal 340B program. This decision follows a ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court, which stated that the Arkansas law does not conflict with federal regulations and is critical for ensuring low-income populations have access to affordable medications. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin hailed the decision as a significant victory, emphasizing that the law fills gaps in federal provisions that manufacturers had exploited to limit drug access. PhRMA argued that the law could lead to program abuse and conflicts with federal laws governing the 340B program. The ruling is seen as a precedent for other states considering similar legislation aimed at protecting access to discounted medications. This case reflects ongoing tensions between state regulations and pharmaceutical industry practices regarding drug pricing and distribution.