Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced proposed regulations on pharmacy benefit managers. Supporters said the bill is needed to protect independent pharmacy stores.

Thursday, the Alabama Senate approved pharmacy benefit manager reform and a new reimbursement standard for independent pharmacies.Local pharmacists and lawmake

Dozens of independent pharmacies have shuttered in Alabama over the last two years, according to the Alabama Independent Pharmacy Alliance. Pharmacists said that is because of financial pressures, in part,

Republicans and Democrats said one bill will keep pharmacy middlemen, or PBM's from undercutting local drug stores.