PURPOSE: This rule limits the dispensers of drugs to licensed pharmacists, except in those localities where there are no pharmacies and where it is necessary for a licensed medical practitioner to dispense drugs in order to provide adequate pharmacy service in that community.

1. (1) Participation in the Missouri drug vendor program shall be limited to duly licensed pharmacies; provided, that licensed authorized medical practitioners may be eligible to participate in the Missouri drug vendor program in the event the Division of Family Services (DFS), in its discretion, determines that participation by practitioners is necessary to insure delivery of pharmacy services to the community. In the localities where there are no pharmacies and the DFS has drug dispensing agreements or would accept these agreements from licensed medical practitioners, the division shall not limit participation to any one (1) licensed medical practitioner if other licensed medical practitioners wish to participate as dispensers of prescription drugs. Those licensed medical practitioners with whom the DFS had a dispensing physician agreement by February 11, 1979, the effective date of this rule, will be exempt from this rule.

AUTHORITY: section 207.020, RSMo 1986.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 40- 81.011. Original rule filed Nov. 13, 1978, effective Feb. 11, 1979. *Original authority 1945, amended 1961, 1965, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1986.