BISMARCK (AP) -- The struggle over North Dakota's pharmacy ownership restrictions is starting again in the Legislature, but the fight may be less intense.
State law says most North Dakota pharmacies must have pharmacists as majority owners. The North Dakota House's Industry, Business and Labor Committee is reviewing a bill today to abolish the law.
Two years ago large retailers and North Dakota pharmacists fought each other over the law, but the repeal effort failed in the House.
Repeal supporters then started an initiative campaign, but it didn't make the ballot because the petitions weren't circulated properly.
Fargo Rep. Thomas Beadle is sponsoring the repeal bill. He says he hasn't been in touch with large retailers who have supported the effort. As of Tuesday, they didn't have lobbyists registered for the session.
