Photo: greenleaf123 / iStock / Getty Images
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a new Iowa law regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
A lawsuit was filed by several groups, including the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, arguing that the law would raise costs on Iowans, conflict with federal law and violate the First Amendment by preventing employers from directing workers to some pharmacies over others.
The law requires PBMs to reimburse pharmacies at the national average drug acquisition cost and says PBMs cannot prohibit or limit someone from selecting a certain pharmacy or pharmacist if that pharmacy is covered by their health insurance
A hearing will be held July 14th.