Minnesota

Minnesota has no DPC laws at present and while early legislative discussions were held, we are not aware of any draft legislation being promoted at this time.  Be sure to review the Minnesota Insurance Statutes when planning your DPC practice.

Physician Dispensing: Minnesota statutes Chapter 151, Section 19 Subdivision 4 state:

(a) The board may grant a license to any physician licensed under chapter 147 who provides services in a health care facility located in a designated health professional shortage area authorizing the physician to dispense drugs to individuals for whom pharmaceutical care is not reasonably available. The license may be renewed annually. Any physician licensed under this subdivision shall be limited to dispensing drugs in a limited service pharmacy and shall be governed by the rules adopted by the board when dispensing drugs.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, pharmaceutical care is not reasonably available if the limited service pharmacy in which the physician is dispensing drugs is located in a health professional shortage area, and no other licensed pharmacy is located within 15 miles of the limited service pharmacy.

(c) For the purposes of this subdivision, section 151.15, subdivision 2, shall not apply, and section 151.215 shall not apply provided that a physician granted a license under this subdivision certifies each filled prescription in accordance with Minnesota Rules, part 6800.3100, subpart 3.

(d) Notwithstanding section 151.102, a physician granted a license under this subdivision may be assisted by a pharmacy technician if the technician holds a valid certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or from another national certification body for pharmacy technicians that requires passage of a nationally recognized psychometrically valid certification examination for certification as determined by the board. The physician may supervise the pharmacy technician as long as the physician assumes responsibility for all functions performed by the technician. For purposes of this subdivision, supervision does not require the physician to be physically present if the physician or a licensed pharmacist is available, either electronically or by telephone.

(e) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit a physician from dispensing drugs pursuant to section 151.37 and Minnesota Rules, parts 6800.9950 to 6800.9954.