CVS would close over 100 pharmacies if Tennessee enacts law
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- CVS announced it will close all 134 of its Tennessee pharmacy locations if a proposed state bill prohibiting companies from owning both retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) becomes law.
- The bill, sponsored by Tennessee state Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, aims to eliminate conflicts of interest by separating PBMs from pharmacy ownership, but CVS argues it would force closures and job losses without addressing broader PBM industry issues.
- Similar legislation passed in Arkansas in 2025 faced legal challenges from CVS, which successfully halted enforcement; meanwhile, federal lawmakers have introduced bills targeting PBM ownership structures, though with limited progress.
- Recent federal legislation includes provisions to increase PBM transparency and restrict their compensation methods under Medicare Part D, requiring
