Georgia House of Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter joins CEO of RxSafe Bill Holmes to summarize the The Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS) has rescheduled the Rutledge v. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) hearing for October 6, 2020.1 The initial April hearing date had been postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19)

Rutledge v. PCMA revolves around whether states have the right to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS). Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has petitioned the court to overturn the US Court of Appeals for the Eight District’s earlier decision to maintain Arkansas’ statute regulating PBMs’ drug reimbursement rates. In a legal brief filed in February 2020, however, Rutledge argues the statute is preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.3

At least 4 pharmacy groups, The American Pharmacists Association, The Arkansas Pharmacist Association, The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and the National Community Pharmacists Association have publicly expressed their support for states’ rights to regulate PBMs.3 According to an earlier report, these 4 groups have jointly argued that unregulated PBM business practices limits access to pharmacists care and prevents the optimal use of medications.3

In April 2020, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) filed an amicus brief in support of the Eighth District’s decision.4 The brief argues that ruling in favor of Rutledge will drive up health care costs, and also will have a big effect on patients too by limiting their ability to access affordable medications, hindering health outcomes.4

The AMCP brief also argues that ruling in favor of Rutledge can lead to issues at the administrative level, and can lead to varying and possibly contradictory state laws as well.4

Supreme Court to hear Rutledge v. PCMA Oct. 6

The US Supreme Court has released its October 2020 oral argument calendar, with Rutledge v. PCMA now scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The case was originally scheduled to be argued in April but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rutledge v. PCMA is a landmark case on whether states can adopt meaningful regulations on pharmacy benefit managers.

If you would like to contribute to the NCPA Legislative/Legal Defense Fund, your support would be much appreciated.

Resources


Brief of Arkansas Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance Of State Pharmacy Associations, and Fifty-One Other Pharmacist Associations As Amici Curiae Supporting Petitioner


Latest Information on Rutledge v. PCMA


NCPA Analysis of Rutledge v. PCMA


Rutledge v. PCMA: 15 Years in the Making

<a href="https://buddycarter.house.gov/">Georgia House of Representatives Earl L. &ldquo;Buddy&rdquo; Carter</a> joins <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-holmes-2011b34/">CEO of RxSafe Bill Holmes</a> to summarize the The Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS) has rescheduled the&nbsp;Rutledge v. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) hearing for October 6, 2020.1 The initial April hearing date had been postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) Rutledge v. PCMA&nbsp;revolves around whether states have the right to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS). Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has petitioned the court to overturn the US Court of Appeals for the Eight District&rsquo;s earlier decision to maintain Arkansas&rsquo; statute regulating PBMs&rsquo; drug reimbursement rates. In a legal brief filed in February 2020, however, Rutledge argues the statute is preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.3 At least 4 pharmacy groups, The American Pharmacists Association, The Arkansas Pharmacist Association, The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and the National Community Pharmacists Association have publicly expressed their support for states&rsquo; rights to regulate PBMs.3&nbsp;According to an earlier report, these 4 groups have jointly argued that unregulated PBM business practices limits access to pharmacists care and prevents the optimal use of medications.3 In April 2020, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) filed an amicus brief in support of the Eighth District&rsquo;s decision.4&nbsp;The brief argues that ruling in favor of Rutledge will drive up health care costs, and also will have a big effect on patients too by limiting their ability to access affordable medications, hindering health outcomes.4 The AMCP brief also argues that ruling in favor of Rutledge can lead to issues at the administrative level, and can lead to varying and possibly contradictory state laws as well.4
Supreme Court to hear Rutledge v. PCMA Oct. 6
The US Supreme Court has released its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_calendars/MonthlyArgumentCalOctober2020.pdf">October 2020 oral argument calendar,</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;Rutledge v. PCMA&nbsp;now scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The case was originally scheduled to be argued in April but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;Rutledge v. PCMA&nbsp;is a landmark case on whether states can adopt meaningful regulations on pharmacy benefit managers.
If you would like to contribute to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ncpa.org/ncpa-legislative-legal-defense-fund">NCPA Legislative/Legal Defense Fund</a>, your support would be much appreciated.
Resources
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://ncpa.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/ncpa-brief-18-540-tsac-APA-NCPA-APhA-NASPA.pdf">Brief of Arkansas Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance Of State Pharmacy Associations, and Fifty-One Other Pharmacist Associations As Amici Curiae Supporting Petitioner</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-540.html">Latest Information on&nbsp;Rutledge v. PCMA</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.ncpa.co/pdf/NCPA-APA-1-pager-SCOTUS-review.pdf">NCPA Analysis of&nbsp;Rutledge v. PCMA</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.ncpa.co/pdf/RutledgevPCMAtimeline.pdf">Rutledge v. PCMA: 15 Years in the Making</a>
</li>
</ul>

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.

The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.

The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.

The definition of “Innovation” is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare & the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan. 

In March of 2009, Todd S. Eury, launched the Pharmacy Podcast Show. Over the years, the Pharmacy Podcast has accumulated over 75,000+ listeners and subscribers and is the most popular and downloaded podcast about the Pharmacy Industry.
The Pharmacy Podcast Show transformed into the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN) in 2014 and will continue to collect the thought leading interviews with some of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacy with over 30 co-hosts. The PPN is a Digital Health Publication and Content Developing partner to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Specialty medications, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.
The PPN is the world's largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy professional and industry insiders leading with our hosts interviewing dynamic people in the pharmacy industry making a difference for our profession, customers, and patients.
The definition of &ldquo;Innovation&rdquo; is: A new method, idea, product, or process. Processing, implementing, operating, or designing beyond the status-quo. Pharmacists are the HUB of Healthcare &amp; the PPN is the Pharmacist's biggest fan.&nbsp;

Pharmacy Podcast Network

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical & pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide. 

The PPN is an Audio Branding & Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends. 

Pharmacy Podcast™ is a registered trademark

The Pharmacy Podcast Network is ranked as the number one podcast in healthcare dedicated to the Business of Pharmacy and TOP 25 Podcasts in U.S. Business News. The most influential voices in the pharmacy industry are published on the Pharmacy Podcast Network (PPN). The PPN is the leading audio authority of the pharmaceutical &amp; pharmacy industry with more than 30 hosts, 1,200+ episodes, supporting more than 25+ pharmacy industry associations, with more than 80,000 listeners world wide.&nbsp;
The PPN is an Audio Branding &amp; Public Relations Communications company dedicated to the Pharmaceutical industry focusing on Community, Long-term care, Health System, Specialty, pharmacy business supportive technologies, and industry trends.&nbsp;
Pharmacy Podcast&trade; is a registered trademark

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