The resolution directs the Director of the Legislative Services Agency in Alabama to hire an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive study on the practices of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). PBMs serve as intermediaries between health insurers and pharmacies, managing prescription drug benefits, negotiating drug prices, and determining reimbursements to pharmacies. Concerns have been raised regarding the complex pricing and reimbursement practices of PBMs, which are believed to contribute to inadequate compensation for pharmacies and the alarming rate of pharmacy closures, particularly affecting rural communities in Alabama that already face healthcare access challenges.

The study will examine the relationship between PBMs and other entities in the drug supply chain, including drug manufacturers and wholesalers, and assess the impact of these practices on prescription drug costs, pharmacy operations, and consumer access to medications. The consultant is expected to provide findings and recommendations to the Director, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1, 2025, following the approval of the resolution by the Governor.