Pharmacy Ownership Law Soon in Legislature

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

One of the most controversial topics will be debated at the Legislature next week the state's pharmacy ownership law. Those who support current law suggest people 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 a bill to repeal the law. Currently, any pharmacy in the state must be majority-owned by a licensed pharmacist. 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. (Shane Wendel / Pharmacist) 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. A lot of those clinics are satalite clinics and the only full time health professional there is the pharmacist and that's really in jeopardy if this law passes.andamp;quot; House Bill 1440 the pharmacy ownership bill will be heard Tuesday morning at nine in the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee.  « Less