(a) A pharmacy benefit manager shall not impose any requirements, conditions, or exclusions that discriminate against a nonaffiliated pharmacy in connection with dispensing drugs.
(b) Discrimination prohibited pursuant to subdivision (a) includes all of the following:
(1) Terms or conditions applied to nonaffiliated pharmacies based on their status as a nonaffiliated pharmacy.
(2) Refusing to contract with or terminating a contract with a nonaffiliated pharmacy on the basis that the pharmacy is a nonaffiliated pharmacy or for reasons other than those that apply equally to affiliated pharmacies.
(3) Retaliation against a nonaffiliated pharmacy based on its exercise of any right or remedy under this article.
(4) Engaging in an unlawful action against a covered entity, including a violation of Section 127471.
(5) Reimbursing a nonaffiliated pharmacy less for a pharmacist service than the pharmacy benefit manager would reimburse an affiliated pharmacy for the same pharmacist service.
(c) This article does not preclude a pharmacy benefit manager or a purchaser of pharmacy benefit manager services from establishing a network of contracting pharmacies.