Advocating for Arkansans:

New Law Will Disrupt Care and Close Pharmacies

Independent Pharmacist with customer

Evernorth Health Services is proud to serve Arkansas and remains committed to helping Arkansans manage their medications and health. That’s why we are deeply concerned about a new state law that could force the closure of pharmacies throughout the state and impact many others. As a result, we want to inform Arkansans about what is happening – and critically, what is at risk. 

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill (Act 624) into law during the spring of 2025 that could result in dozens of pharmacies no longer being able to serve Arkansas patients. If this misguided law goes into effect as planned on January 1, 2026, Evernorth’s family of pharmacies, including Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, Express Scripts Pharmacy, and Freedom Fertility, will be prohibited from providing medications and related clinical services to Arkansans – increasing costs and making it harder for the more than 50,000 Arkansans who depend on us to get the care they need. 

What this means for patients starting January 1, 2026

This untested law will leave Arkansans with higher prices and scrambling to find a new way to get their medications and related clinical care. Many patients may no longer be able to receive home delivery of prescriptions. Others will lose access to in-home services like infusions. 

If Arkansas policymakers do not take action to stop this law before January, pharmacy and medication access could be significantly impacted, including access to:

Woman getting prescription from mailbox

The Truth about PBMs and Affiliated Pharmacies

Act 624 creates significant prescription drug access restrictions by prohibiting pharmacies affiliated with a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), such as Evernorth’s Express Scripts, from dispensing medicines within the state. Many Arkansas policymakers supported Act 624 because they mistakenly believe PBMs and PBM-affiliated pharmacies contribute to the high prices of prescription drugs – and that is patently false. PBMs LOWER costs. Here’s the truth:

couple

Express Scripts Sues to Preserve Access to Care for Arkansans

On May 29, 2025, Express Scripts and its affiliated pharmacies filed a lawsuit in federal court in Arkansas requesting that the courts strike down Arkansas Act 624 because it violates the U.S. Constitution and is unenforceable.

Press Release

Express Scripts’ Legal Complaint

Make Your Voice Heard: Help Stop Act 624

If you are concerned about how Act 624 could impact you and your loved ones, visit www.MyPharmacyMatters.com to urge your elected officials to stop Act 624 before it’s too late. 

Sources

  1. Express Scripts internal data, 2024.
  2. Accredo Specialty Pharmacy internal data, 2024.
  3. Express Scripts internal data, 2024.