Senator Shamp Moves to Shut Down Corporate Middlemen Driving Up Prescription Drug Costs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 2, 2026

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Former Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp is taking decisive action to protect Arizona patients and local pharmacies with legislation to crack down on corporate middlemen who profit by controlling where prescriptions are filled and how much families pay.

SB 1545 prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning and operating pharmacies in Arizona, addressing a significant conflict of interest that allows corporations to manipulate the system to their advantage. SB 1545 would prohibit PBMs from having direct or indirect ownership interests in retail pharmacies and would require the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy to enforce compliance by revoking or not renewing permits as necessary. The legislation also includes patient protections to ensure continued access to rare and limited-distribution medications. SB 1545 aims to ensure a clear transition that protects patients, providers, and pharmacies from disruptions.

Pharmacy benefit managers are often unknown to patients, yet they significantly influence the prescription drug market. Acting as intermediaries between insurance companies, drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and patients, PBMs determine which medications are covered, where prescriptions can be filled, and how much pharmacies are reimbursed. Furthermore, when PBMs own pharmacies, they can direct patients to their own stores, offer lower reimbursements to independent pharmacies, and eliminate competition without drawing attention. SB 1545 is designed to align with bipartisan federal efforts launched by the Trump Administration to regulate these PBM middlemen, who contribute to inflated prescription drug costs, restrict competition, and limit patients' choices.

"Arizonans deserve transparency and fairness in their prescription drug costs," said Senator Shamp. "PBMs were created to manage benefits — not to own pharmacies, control the rules, and profit off the entire system. PBMs were never meant to be both the referee and the player. This bill sends a clear message: our healthcare system exists to serve patients, not corporate profits. When the middleman becomes the gatekeeper, prices rise, choices narrow, and local pharmacies are pushed out. SB 1545 ends that self-dealing and puts patients back in control. This bill is about fairness, transparency, and making sure Arizona's healthcare system works for families — not for corporate executives gaming the system behind closed doors."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov