The Pain Relief Parity Act aims to ensure equitable treatment of non-opioid pain relief medications within the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The act mandates that the Department of Human Services must not disadvantage or discourage the coverage of non-opioid drugs that are FDA-approved and lack a therapeutic equivalent for pain management when compared to opioid or narcotic drugs. This includes prohibiting the designation of non-opioid drugs as non-preferred if any opioid or narcotic is preferred, as well as preventing the imposition of more stringent utilization controls, such as prior authorization or step therapy, on non-opioid drugs compared to their opioid counterparts.

The bill introduces new legal language to the Arkansas Code, specifically adding a section titled "20-77-408. Medicaid pain relief parity." This section outlines the requirements for maintaining a balanced formulary and preferred drug list that treats non-opioid medications fairly in relation to opioids, thereby promoting a more comprehensive approach to pain management within the Medicaid program.