All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 0
ArkansasSB4752025 Regular SessionSenate
TO ESTABLISH THE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ACT; AND TO REGULATE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
Sponsored By: Les D. Eaves (Republican), Jonathan Dismang (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Pharmacies gain protection from exclusive purchasing
The law limits exclusive purchasing demands by pharmacy service firms with ownership ties to drug or medical device suppliers. It applies when a firm owns, or is partly or fully owned by, a maker, seller, or distributor. These firms cannot make a pharmacy contract depend on buying drugs, biological products, or devices only from an owner or affiliate. They must also report pharmacy purchase agreements with themselves or covered related entities to the Arkansas Insurance Department.
Pharmacies get contract details and appeal help
Pharmacy service firms must provide pharmacies signed contracts, amendments, and payment schedules or reimbursement rates within 3 calendar days after signing. They must disclose covered ownership ties to the state and, before contracting, to pharmacies and payers, with ongoing disclosure duties. These ties cover pharmacy service businesses and drug or device makers, sellers, and distributors; material changes require written notice within 5 calendar days. Contracts must require timely dispute communication, forwarding pharmacy appeals, and explanations and resubmission when appeals fail minimum contract requirements. In appeals covered by Arkansas law, information given to the firm counts as given to the pharmacy it represents.
State oversight for pharmacy service firms
Arkansas requires pharmacy services administrative organizations—firms that handle pharmacy business with drug benefit managers or payers—to get licensed. The Insurance Commissioner sets application, renewal, fee, financial, compliance, and reporting rules. The commissioner can audit pharmacy claims records; examination information is confidential and exempt from state public-records requests. After notice and a chance for a hearing, violations can bring fines up to $5,000 each or license suspension or revocation. Payers need not contract with these firms; the payer definition excludes nonfederal government plans under the federal definition dated January 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Les D. Eaves
Republican • House
Jonathan Dismang
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2025
House Vote - Monday, April 14, 2025 3:36:11 PM
Yes: 96 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 2:03:48 PM
Yes: 34 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB475 is now Act 773
4/18/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/15/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/15/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/14/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
4/14/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/14/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/14/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/9/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE
4/7/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/7/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
4/7/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/7/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
4/3/2025SenateRe-referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
4/2/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/2/2025SenateAmendment # 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/2/2025SenateWithdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 2
4/2/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/2/2025SenateRe-referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
3/19/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/19/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
3/19/2025SenateWithdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1
3/19/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
3/17/2025SenateFiled
3/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB475 - Introduced
3/17/2025
Act Version
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