Bill > SB58

This bill removes existing legal prohibitions preventing nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally-funded hospitals from holding retail pharmacy permits and establishes new regulations for hospital pharmacies. The legislation defines a "hospital campus" and allows such hospitals to obtain retail pharmacy permits within 250 yards of their campus, with permit allocations based on hospital size (one permit per hospital pharmaceuticals services and one additional permit per 100 hospital beds). The bill also ensures patient freedom of choice by requiring hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program to inform patients they can obtain pharmaceutical supplies from any pharmacy of their choice upon discharge. Additionally, the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy must now provide monthly reports to the Legislative Council detailing pharmacy permit applications, approvals, total licensed retail pharmacies, and pharmacy closures. The bill repeals the previous statutory provision that made it unlawful for nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally-funded hospitals to hold pharmacy permits, effectively creating a more flexible regulatory environment for hospital-based pharmacies.

Health and Social Services

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb58&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R