AR HB1531

Pharmaceutical manufacturers must not restrict prescription medications to limited distribution networks of out-of-state pharmacies more than 3 months after a new product launch, and must allow Arkansas pharmacies to apply for access with geographic diversity and local pharmacy participation

Manufacturers wanting to participate in state government and public plan sponsor health benefit plans (including Medicaid) must hold an active wholesale distributor permit with the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy

Restrictions on distribution networks lasting 6 months or longer require Board of Pharmacy approval through a public hearing process, where the board considers factors such as costs, logistics, patient caseload, and disease rarity

State government and public plan sponsors cannot pay for prescription drugs from manufacturers who are noncompliant, and noncompliant manufacturers face fines of $10,000 per day

Compliance deadline is September 1, 2026; the bill was approved on April 16, 2025