By: Bryant H.B. No. 5457       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the relationship between a pharmacy benefit manager and   a pharmacist or pharmacy.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter M, Chapter 1369, Insurance Code, is   amended by adding Section 1369.6045 to read as follows:          Sec. 1369.6045.  AFFILIATED PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACIES   PROHIBITED. A pharmacy benefit manager may not directly, or   indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or be under   common control with a pharmacist or pharmacy in this state.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 4151, Insurance Code, is   amended by adding Section 4151.155 to read as follows:          Sec. 4151.155.  COMPTROLLER REPORT. Not later than   September 1 of each even-numbered year, the comptroller shall   prepare and submit a written report to the legislature that   contains an assessment of and recommendations regarding the impact   of pharmacy benefit manager regulation and affiliation in this   state on:                (1)  independent pharmacies;                (2)  rural pharmacies;                (3)  prescription drug prices;                (4)  patient access to prescription drugs; and                (5)  competition in the pharmacy market.          SECTION 3.  Effective January 1, 2027, Subchapter B, Chapter   565, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 565.05912 to   read as follows:          Sec. 565.05912.  REVOCATION OR REFUSAL TO RENEW FOR   AFFILIATION WITH PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER. The board shall revoke   or refuse to renew a pharmacy license under Chapter 560 or a license   to practice pharmacy under Chapter 558 if the holder of the license   is affiliated with a pharmacy benefit manager in violation of   Section 1369.6045, Insurance Code.          SECTION 4.  Effective January 1, 2027, Section 1369.604,   Insurance Code, is repealed.          SECTION 5.  (a)  Subject to Subsection (b) of this section,   the change in law made by this Act applies to an affiliation between   a pharmacy benefit manager and a pharmacist or pharmacy acquired   before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.          (b)  Section 1360.6045, Insurance Code, as added by this Act,   does not prohibit the continuation until January 1, 2027, of an   affiliation between a pharmacy benefit manager and a pharmacist or   pharmacy that existed immediately before the effective date of this   Act. A pharmacy benefit manager or pharmacist or pharmacy subject   to Section 1369.6045, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, shall   divest all affiliated interests as necessary to comply with that   section not later than January 1, 2027.          SECTION 6.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.