Tennessee PBM Reform Win | PBM Reform
From Pharmacy Podcast Network by Pharmacy Podcast Network
April 30, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 2498
About this episode
Tennessee lawmakers have passed a significant reform bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers to enhance competition and protect independent pharmacies.
Tennessee lawmakers have passed a major pharmacy reform bill aimed at pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, by barring companies from owning both a PBM and a pharmacy. The legislation is widely seen as targeting CVS Health, which owns Caremark and operates pharmacies across the state.Supporters say the bill is designed to curb vertical integration, restore fair competition, and protect independent pharmacies from reimbursement practices they view as harmful to patient access and community pharmacy survival.CVS has pushed back hard, warning that the new law could force it to shut down its 134 Tennessee pharmacy locations and trigger a legal challenge. The company argues the measure would reduce access for patients and does not directly address broader PBM issues like pricing or formularies.This Tennessee fight reflects a larger national battle over PBM reform, pharmacy ownership, market power, and the future of prescription drug access.
Topics covered
- PBM reform
- pharmacy benefit managers
- Tennessee legislation
- independent pharmacies
- vertical integration
- healthcare access
Keywords
- Tennessee
- PBM reform
- CVS Health
- pharmacy benefit managers
- independent pharmacies
- legislation
- healthcare access
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: CVS Health, Caremark, Tennessee lawmakers, CVS
Places: Tennessee
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