HB1300 Summary

• Allows hospitals that only provide inpatient services and emergency medical care with a minimum average daily inpatient census of 25 patients to hold one retail pharmacy permit per licensed hospital location.

• Requires any hospital retail pharmacy permit to be located on the hospital campus or within 250 yards of the licensed hospital facility, and mandates 24/7 access to emergency medications.

• Prohibits hospitals from applying for a retail pharmacy permit if an existing retail pharmacy is already located within 250 yards of the hospital campus and offers 24/7 emergency medication access.

• Creates new restrictions on pharmacy contracts with parent entities, prohibiting financial incentives not offered equally at other network pharmacies, higher reimbursement rates than other state pharmacies, limited provider networks, or other anticompetitive practices.

• Requires the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy to investigate complaints within 30 business days and immediately terminate pharmacy permits for violations; designates violations as also constituting violations of the Unfair Practices Act.