Sen. Britt files bill in North Carolina Senate to regulate pharmacy services and improve transparency

A new bill filed by Sen. Britt seeks to support community pharmacies and improve transparency in pharmacy services through regulatory measures and increased oversight, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 479 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘SCRIPT Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill aims to support community retail pharmacies and improve transparency in pharmacy services by implementing various regulations and amendments. It establishes the SCRIPT Act, which includes provisions to address pharmacy deserts, ensuring access for residents in urban and rural areas lacking nearby pharmacies. It mandates more transparent practices and fair treatment by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and introduces new requirements for Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSAOs), including licensure, ownership disclosures, and contract regulations. The bill sets reporting requirements for PBMs on drug rebates and pricing data, ensures consumer protection by incorporating pharmacy rebates into cost-sharing calculations, and enhances transparency in prescription drug pricing. Moreover, it restructures pharmacy audit guidelines to protect pharmacies from unfair practices and fortifies anti-steering regulations to ensure network adequacy for pharmacists. The bill includes effective dates ranging from October 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, for various sections and introduces penalties for non-compliance.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Benton G. Sawrey proposed the most bills (56) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Britt graduated from University of Oklahoma with a JD.

Britt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Amy Galey.