HB 25-1222: Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act prevents a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from prohibiting a rural independent pharmacy from using a private courier or a delivery service to deliver a prescription drug to a patient. A PBM is required to reimburse a rural independent pharmacy for a prescription drug in an amount not less than the national average drug acquisition cost for the dispensed prescription drug ingredients, plus pay a dispensing fee. When a PBM conducts an audit of a rural independent pharmacy and the audit results in a recoupment of more than $1,000 or a penalty of more than $1,000, the PBM must: Electronically notify the rural independent pharmacy of the rural independent pharmacy's rights to appeal at least 30 days before the recoupment of funds; If the rural independent pharmacy does not respond to the electronic notification within 30 days after the electronic notification, again electronically notify the rural independent pharmacy of the rural independent pharmacy's rights to appeal at least 30 days before the recoupment of funds; and If the rural independent pharmacy does not respond to the second electronic notification within 30 days after the second electronic notification, serve process on the rural independent pharmacy notifying of the rural independent pharmacy's rights to appeal at least 30 days before the recoupment of funds. The act allows a rural independent pharmacy to operate without being under the direct charge of a pharmacist if the initial interpretation and final evaluation of the prescription is done by a state-licensed pharmacist in person or remotely. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 43 · Republican 22

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 27, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 20, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 20, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 20, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. May 1, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. April 24, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
7. April 23, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
8. April 22, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
9. April 17, 2025Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
10. March 27, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
11. March 25, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
12. March 21, 2025House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

Showing 12 most recent of 16 actions. Full history