The news: A group of 39 state and territory attorneys general is urging Congress to pass a law forbidding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies.

For context, recently introduced bipartisan legislation would require companies that own pharmacies and health insurers or PBMs to divest their pharmacy businesses within three years.

Zooming in: The letter calls out that PBMs and their parent companies control the entire prescription manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and dispensing process.