The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner is holding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for unlawful actions. The Office posted a bulletin notice for PBMs and health benefit plans that enforces a freedom of consumer choice law prohibiting requiring a patient to use a mail order pharmacy. It enforces that a PBM's network cannot only consist of mail order pharmacies, but instead must have a mix of physical stores as well within a reasonable distance from the patient's home. Failure to comply may result in severe consequences such as losing their license.

HB 2263 positively impacts locally-owned pharmacies and their patients by protecting their freedom of choice. It requires transparency in drug rebates and premiums, and regulates fair reimbursement for all pharmacies. Overall, it limits the current practices of PBMs that interfere in pharmacies' ability to deliver affordable and necessary patient care.