The Senate Resolution urges the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential impacts of prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies within the state. This resolution highlights concerns regarding vertical integration in healthcare, where a single entity controls various aspects of the healthcare process, including insurance, pharmacy benefits, and pharmacy operations. Such consolidation is believed to limit competition, reduce choices for patients, and potentially increase healthcare costs. The resolution calls for a thorough analysis to understand how this prohibition could affect patient access, employer-sponsored health plans, and the overall provision of pharmacy services.

The study mandated by the resolution must be completed and reported to the legislature by March 1, 2026. The report should address several key areas, including the financial implications for plan sponsors, the adequacy of Medicare pharmacy networks, employment impacts, the scope of services provided by pharmacies that would be prohibited, and patient access to specialized medications. Additionally, it will assess the capacity of non-prohibited pharmacies to accommodate displaced patients and the potential costs associated with prescription noncompliance for Medicaid recipients. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure the study is initiated.