US Pharm. 2014;39(12):7.
Bismarck, ND—North Dakota will remain the only state in the country with a law that prevents large corporations like Walmart from operating pharmacies there. The North Dakota Pharmacy Ownership Initiative would have removed the requirement for majority ownership of a pharmacy by a registered pharmacist. Supporters of the ballot measure to repeal the law believed that opening the pharmacy market to chain competitors would lower drug prices and improve patient access. Those who opposed the measure felt that it would hurt local businesses and independent pharmacies. About 60% of voters decided to uphold the current law. It is the only one of its kind in the U.S., although several European countries have similar restrictions.
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