Pharmacy

One of the most controversial topics will be debated at the Legislature next week it's the issu...  More »

One of the most controversial topics will be debated at the Legislature next week it's the issue of changing the pharmacy ownership law. Those against changing the bill say those of you who live in rural andamp;lt;a href=andamp;quot;http://www.kxnet.com/t/north-dakotaandamp;quot; class=andamp;quot;kxInlineLinkandamp;quot;andamp;gt;North Dakotaandamp;lt;/aandamp;gt; should be concerned about the bill. Currently a licensed North Dakota pharmacist must own a majority of any pharmacy in the state. Mike Rud with the North Dakota Retail Association says national chain drug stores and big box stores want to operate in ND and are behind the push to change the law. He says the change will drain pharmacies out of small towns. Pharmacist Shane Wendel just bought two stores in rural North Dakota. andamp;#226;andamp;#8364;andamp;#339;I'm here to tell you that the people who are going to suffer are those in the small communities, what are they going to do for pharmacy access and a lot of those communities the pharmacist is the only andamp;lt;a href=andamp;quot;http://www.kxnet.com/t/health-careandamp;quot; class=andamp;quot;kxInlineLinkandamp;quot;andamp;gt;health careandamp;lt;/aandamp;gt; professional available,andamp;#226;andamp;#8364;andamp;#157; said Shane Wendel, a pharmacist. andamp;#226;andamp;#8364;andamp;#339;A lot of those clinics are satellite clinics and the only full time health professional there is the pharmacist and that's really in jeopardy if this law passes.andamp;quot; HB 1440 the pharmacy ownership bill will be heard Tuesday morning at nine before the House Industry, Business and Labor committee  « Less