The Board of Pharmacy voted to suspend enforcement of Act 630 of 2025, a first-in-the-nation law intended to prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting specialty drugs to limited distribution networks and to expand access for Arkansas pharmacies. The Board’s action follows a federal court ruling by U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky, who found that the law likely violates the U.S. Constitution’s Dormant Commerce Clause by discriminating in favor of in-state commerce. Chain, independent and oncology pharmacies in Arkansas that are not part of manufacturer-approved networks will remain unable to dispense certain specialty medications.

Also in Arkansas, the Legislative Council recently approved a proposed rule package updating Board of Pharmacy regulations implementing Acts 637, 938 and 961 of 2025. These changes are primarily technical in nature and align Board rules with legislation enacted during the 2025 legislative session.

• Establish standards for emergency medication kits in licensed alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs.
• Update compounding regulations to allow dispensing of medications from FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities.
• Revise Board member qualifications to reflect changes in state law.
• Modernize pharmacy regulations by updating off-site order entry requirements and removing outdated provisions.

Finally in Arkansas, Immunize AR will host its 10^th Annual Immunization Summit on August 21 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. This year’s theme, “The Power of Prevention: Advancing Immunizations in a Changing Landscape,” highlights the importance of staying ahead in the evolving field of immunization. The conference includes 5.75 hours of continuing education for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, as well as breakfast, lunch and refreshments.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On July 22, Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturers for allegedly illegally restricting patient access to the 340B discount drug program. The lawsuit is based on a law passed in 2021 by the General Assembly (Act 1103) aimed at protecting Arkansas covered entities’ access to 340B discounted drugs. It was the first state law in the country to make it unlawful for drug manufacturers to prohibit covered entities from using contract pharmacies or to deny 340B drug pricing to contract pharmacies used by covered entities. Drug manufacturers challenged Act 1103 as unconstitutional and lost at both the federal district and appellate levels. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Insurance Department (AID) issued Bulletin 2-2026 – Pharmacy Network Adequacy Reporting. Direct your questions to aid.pbmlicensing@arkansas.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Sarah Huckaby Sanders (R) reappointed Brian Jolly to the Board of Pharmacy. His term expires June 30, 2031. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Sara Huckaby Sanders (R) recently appointed Jimmy Harris to serve as the new Commissioner of the Insurance Department (AID). Harris is expected to be more aggressive on enforcement of complaints against PBM’s violating the laws and rules.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Insurance Department (AID) issued Bulletin 12-2025 which seeks public input on revisions to the Data Submission Guide for the All-Payer Claims Database.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Board of Pharmacy finalized rules that permit pharmacies to utilize up to four (4) support staff members per supervising pharmacist. This includes pharmacy technicians and other non-intern personnel. Licensed interns participating in an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited experiential programs and graduate interns are excluded from the ratio count, as are non-clinical personnel such as clerks and delivery staff. This change is part of a broader effort to modernize pharmacy regulations and provide greater operational flexibility.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On July 28,a federal judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas Central Division granted a preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of HB 1150/Act 624, a state law prohibiting out-of-state PBMs from operating pharmacies inside the state, due to take effect on January 1, 2026. The reason given in the court order was because it likely violates the Commerce Clause, and it is likely preempted by TRICARE.  

Also in Arkansas, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new section 1115 demonstration titled "Arkansas Opportunities to Test Transition-Related Strategies to Support Community Reentry from Incarceration and Institutions for Mental Disease." It allows the state to receive federal financial participation (FFP) for Medicaid state plan services provided to adult beneficiaries who are in institutions for mental disease (IMD) for substance use disorder (SUD) or serious mental illness (SMI) treatment.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS sponsored the Arkansas Pharmacist Association's (APA) annual meeting. Gov. Sarah Huckaby Sanders (R) spoke about the importance of supporting our patients and their access to affordable healthcare. Chain and independent pharmacists thanked the Governor for her support of the profession and patients by protecting pharmacy access and ensuring patients across the state receive the care they deserve. 

Also in Arkansas, the Insurance Department issued Bulletin No. 9-2025, Arkansas 2025 Legislation report, summarizing newly adopted insurance laws. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.