§ 1385.0026. — 1385.0026. (Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 605, Sec. 8.)

California § 1385.0026.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code HSC: Health and Safety Code - HSC
• Div. 2.: DIVISION 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS
• Ch. 2.2.: CHAPTER 2.2. Health Care Service Plans
• Art. 6.1.: ARTICLE 6.1. Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Text

(a)
A pharmacy benefit manager shall not impose any requirements, conditions, or exclusions that discriminate against a nonaffiliated pharmacy in connection with dispensing drugs.
(b)
Discrimination prohibited pursuant to subdivision (a) includes all of the following:
(1)
Terms or conditions applied to nonaffiliated pharmacies based on their status as a nonaffiliated pharmacy.
(2)
Refusing to contract with or terminating a contract with a nonaffiliated pharmacy on the basis that the pharmacy is a nonaffiliated pharmacy or for reasons other
than those that apply equally to affiliated pharmacies.
(3)
Retaliation against a nonaffiliated pharmacy based on its exercise of any right or remedy under this article.
(4)
Engaging in an unlawful action against a covered entity, including a violation of Section 127471.
(5)
Reimbursing a nonaffiliated pharmacy less for a pharmacist service than the pharmacy benefit manager would reimburse an affiliated pharmacy for the same pharmacist service.
(c)
This article does not preclude a pharmacy benefit manager or a purchaser of pharmacy benefit manager services from establishing a network of contracting pharmacies.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 605, Sec. 8. (SB 41) Effective January 1, 2026.