US Pharm. 2009;34(3):8. 

Bismarck, ND -- Pharmacy owners in North Dakota are celebrating the victory of upholding a state law that requires a licensed pharmacist to own at least 51% of a pharmacy in that state. The law effectively locks out some large national chains such as Walgreens and Wal-Mart from operating pharmacies within its stores in North Dakota. If a chain located in the state wants to operate a pharmacy department and is not owned by a licensed pharmacist, the only other way is for the chain to lease space to a licensed pharmacist. It is estimated that North Dakota has approximately 245 pharmacies, 20 of which are older chains with pharmacies that were grandfathered in since they were doing business in the state in 1963, when the ownership law was originally passed. The law has survived many challenges over the years, including one at the U.S. Supreme Court that was upheld in 1974.