In an emergency ruling, Arkansas lawmakers have moved to fine pharmacy benefit managers following a months-long debate.

The Arkansas Insurance Department will require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to include dispensing fees in their reimbursements to pharmacies for prescription drugs, a legislative panel ruled Thursday.

Arkansas lawmakers are teaming up against pharmacy benefit managers. Many have been outspoken for months, saying PBMs continue hurting independent pharmacies in the natural state.

Rand told lawmakers that for about the past year, health insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers have been reimbursing pharmacies in Arkansas "very close" to what it costs to buy ingredients without dispensing fees, or sometimes even reimbursing pharmacies below what it costs the pharmacies to purchase drugs.

In January, a new Idaho law will take effect requiring reform of business practices by pharmacy middlemen — in search of tamping down prescription drug costs. The new law targets pharmacy benefit managers,