Physicians can use the information from the Texas attorney general's office below to comply with the attorney general's Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) and verify that a drug or medical device distributor has a current license.
“Obtain verification of a drug or medical device distributor’s license, or in the case of a medical device distributor who is not located in Texas, proof that such distributor is lawfully in the distribution chain [AVC terms 5 (a), (b), and (c)]:
- Prior to the purchase of a drug from a distributor of drugs (regardless of physical location), or of a medical device from a medical device distributor physically located in Texas, physicians should contact TDSHS to obtain verification that the distributor’s license is current. The physician’s request for license verification can be sent to TDSHS in one of two ways:
- Send a fax to (512) 834-6741, or
- Visit the TDSHS website, click on the Public License Search link and enter required information, such as the license number. If the distributor is properly licensed, its name will appear on the webpage. Physicians should print this page and save it as proof of status of verification.
- Prior to purchasing a medical device from a distributor not physically located in Texas, physicians should likewise obtain verification that the distributor’s license or authorization is current.
- Some out-of-state distributors are licensed by TDSHS. Consequently, physicians should start by reviewing whether the distributor is licensed to operate in Texas by following the process outlined in A.1.above.
- If an out-of-state distributor is not licensed by TDSHS, the physician should contact the appropriate state’s licensing agency.
- In certain situations, a distributor may not possess a state license, but may still be authorized by a manufacturer to distribute a medical device. In that case, the physician should contact the manufacturer to verify the manufacturer’s authorization.”
Read More
State-by-State Guide
Information adapted from the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA)
Alabama
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 10 Inverness Center, Suite 110; Birmingham, AL 35242; 205-981-2280; http://www.albop.com
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.albop.com/actsprovisions/act205_12_09.pdf
Alaska
Oversight Agency: Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: P.O. Box 110806; Juneau, AK 99811-0806; (907) 465-2589; http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/ppha.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pub/PharmacyStatutes.pdf
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pub/Centralized_Licensing_Stats.pdf
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pub/Centralized_Licensing_Regs.pdf
Arizona
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 1616 W Adams St., Ste. 120; Phoenix, AZ 85007; (602) 771-2727; http://www.azpharmacy.gov
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.azpharmacy.gov/pdfs/Chapter%2027.pdf
Arkansas
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 101 E. Capitol; Suite 218; Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 682-0190; http://www.arkansas.gov/asbp
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.arkansas.gov/asbp/pdf/lawbook/regulation_08.pdf
California
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 1625 North Market Blvd; Suite N219; Sacramento, CA 95834; (916) 574-7900; http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/lawbook.pdf
Connecticut
Oversight Agency: Department of Consumer Protection
Contact Information: License Services Division, 165 Capitol Avenue; Hartford, CT 06106; http://www.ct.gov/dcp/site/default.asp
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/drug_control_pdf/druglaws__draft_2_10-1-09_toc_for_web_no_reg_changes.pdf
Delaware
Oversight Agency: Department of State; Division of Professional Regulation; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 203; Dover, DL, 19904-2467; (302) 744-4500; http://www.dpr.delaware.gov
Rules and Regulations of Reference: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/april2007/final/10%20DE%20Reg%201628%2004-0107.htm
Florida
Oversight Agency: Department of Health; Medical Quality Assurance Services
Contact Information: 4052 Bald Cypress Way; Tallahassee, FL 32399; (850) 488-0595; http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/DDC/index.html
Rules and Regulations of Reference: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0499/part01.htm&StatuteYear=2008&Title=%2D%3E2008%2D%3EChapter%20499%2D%3EPart%20I
Hawaii
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: DCCA-PVL; ATT: PHAR; P.O. Box 3469; Honolulu, HI 96801; (808) 586-2684; http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/pharmacy
Rules and Regulations of Reference: http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/pharmacy/statute_rules/
Idaho
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 3380 Americana Terrace, Suite 320; P.O. Box 83720; Boise, ID 83720; (208) 334-2356; http://bop.accessidaho.org
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://bop.accessidaho.org/bop/forms/2007%20Idaho%20Wholesale%20Drug%20Distribution%20Act.pdf
Illinois
Oversight Agency: Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: Division of Professional Regulation
Contact Information: 320 W. Washington Street, Floor 3; Springfield, IL 62786-0001; (217) 782-8556; http://www.idfpr.com
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/actsnrules.asp
Indiana
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072; Indianapolis, IN 46204-2298; (317) 234-2067; http://www.in.gov/pla/pharmacy.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference for Drug Wholesalers: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title25/ar26/ch14.html
Statutes and Regulations of Reference for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title25/ar26/ch21.html
Iowa
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy Examiners
Contact Information: 400 S.W. 8th Street; Suite E; Des Moines, IA 50309-4688; (515) 281-5944; http://www.state.ia.us/ibpe
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.state.ia.us/ibpe/rules_laws/index.html
http://www.state.ia.us/ibpe/drug_wholesalers/index.html
Kansas
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 900 S.W. Jackson Street; Room 560; Topeka, KS 66612-1225; (785) 296-4056; http://www.kansas.gov/pharmacy
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.kansas.gov/pharmacy/leg.html
Kentucky
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: Spindletop Administration Building; 2624 Research Park Drive, Suite 302; Lexington, KY 40511-8480; (859) 246-2820; http://pharmacy.ky.gov
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.pharmacy.ky.gov/laws
Louisiana
Oversight Agency: Board of Wholesale Drug Distributors
Contact Information: 12046 Justice Avenue, Suite C; Baton Rouge, LA 70816; 225/295-8567; http://www.lsbwdd.org/
Maine
Oversight Agency: Department of Professional and Financial Regulation; Office of Licensing and Registration
Contact Information: 35 State House Station; Augusta, ME 04333-0035; (207) 624-8603; http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/pharmacy/laws.htm
Maryland
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 4201 Patterson Avenue; Baltimore, MD 21215; (410)764-2485; http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/pharmacyboard
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/pharmacyboard/forms/WSD%20FAQ%20112508.DOC
2010 Legislation Impacting Distribution: http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/hb/hb0868f.pdf
The General Assembly passed legislation that would require all distributors doing business in the state to be accredited. The legislation makes an exception for distributors that the Board of Pharmacy has granted "deemed status" to. Deemed status is determined by whether the distributor is 1) an ADR, or 2) currently accredited in another state.
Massachusetts
Oversight Agency: Board of Registration in Pharmacy
Contact Information: 239 Causeway Street, Floor 2; Boston, MA 02114-2130; (617) 973-0950; http://www.mass.gov/reg/boards/ph
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-112-toc.htm
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111N/Section1
Michigan
Oversight Agency: Department of Community Health; Bureau of Health Professionals
Contact Information: P.O. Box 30670; Lansing, MI 48909-8170; (517) 335-0918; http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529---,00.html
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=33800471&Dpt=CH&RngHigh
Minnesota
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 2829 University Avenue S.E.; Suite 530; Minneapolis, MN 55414-3250; (651) 201-2825; http://www.phcybrd.state.mn.us
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.phcybrd.state.mn.us/Main-sta.htm
Mississippi
Oversight Agency: State Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 204 Key Drive; Suite D; Madison, MS 39110-5010; 601/605-5388; http://www.mbp.state.ms.us
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.mbp.state.ms.us/mbop/pharmacy.nsf/webpageedit/RegulationsLN_regdb_thirtyeightdb/$FILE/ARTICLE%20XXXVIII%20%20%20MEDICAL%20EQUIPMENT%20SUPPLIERS%20PERMIT.pdf?OpenElement
Missouri
Oversight Agency: Division of Professional Registration; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 3605 Missouri Boulevard; P.O. Box 625; Jefferson City, MO 65102-0625; (573) 751-0091; http://www.pr.mo.gov/pharmacists.asp
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/_C338.HTM
http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/20csr/20csr.asp#20-2220
Montana
Oversight Agency: Department of Labor & Industry; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 301 South Park Avenue; 4th Floor; Helena, MT 59620; (406) 841-2356; http://mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/board_page.asp
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pha_statutes.pdf
http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/pdf/pha_rules.pdf
Nevada
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 431 W. Plumb Lane; Reno, NV 89509; (775) 850-1440; http://bop.nv.gov
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-639.html
New Hampshire
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 57 Regional Drive; Concord, NH 03301-8518; (603) 271-2350; http://www.nh.gov/pharmacy
Statutes and Regulations: http://www.nh.gov/pharmacy/laws/index.htm
New Jersey
Oversight Agency: Department of Health and Senior Services’ Consumer and Environmental Health Services, Food and Drug Safety Program
Contact Information: P. O. Box 369; Trenton, NJ 08625-0360; (609) 292-7837; http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/boards.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: The statutes and regulations are available upon request by mail.
New Mexico
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 5200 Oakland N.E.; Suite A; Albuquerque, NM 87113-2389; (505) 222-9845; http://www.rld.state.nm.us/Pharmacy/
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title16/16.019.0008.htm
New York
Oversight Agency: New York State Education Department; Office of the Professions, Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: State Education Building, 2nd floor; 89 Washington Avenue; Albany, NY 12234; http://www.op.nysed.gov/pharm.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pharm/article137.htm
North Carolina
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 6015 Farrington Road, Suite 201; Chapel Hill, NC, 27517; (919) 246-1050; http://www.ncbop.org
Device Distributor Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.ncbop.org/lawandrules.htm
Prescription Drug Distributor Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_106/Article_12a.html
North Dakota
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: PO Box 1354; Bismarck, ND 58502-1354; (701) 328-9535; http://www.nodakpharmacy.com
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.nodakpharmacy.com/pdfs/2010LegislativeChanges.pdf
Ohio
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 77 S. High Street, Room 1702; Columbus, OH 43215-6126; (614) 466-4143; http://pharmacy.ohio.gov
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/lawsrules.htm
Oklahoma
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 4545 Lincoln Blvd, Suite 112; Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3488; http://www.pharmacy.ok.gov
Oklahoma Pharmacy Law Book: http://www.ok.gov/OSBP/documents/law05.pdf
New & Revised Rules: http://www.ok.gov/OSBP/documents/2007%20Rules%20eff%2007-01.pdf
Oregon
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 150; Portland, OR 97232-2162; (971) 673-0001; http://www.pharmacy.state.or.us
Statutes and Regulations: http://www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy/Laws_Rules.shtml
Wholesale Rule Change: http://www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy/Imports/Rules/January07/855-065_WHOLESALE.pdf
Pennsylvania
Oversight Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Contact Information: Health and Welfare Building; 7th & Forster Streets; Harrisburg, PA 17120; http://www.dos.state.pa.us/pharm
Statutes and Regulations: http://app1.health.state.pa.us/ddc/DDCDownload.asp
South Carolina
Oversight Agency: Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building; 110 Centerview Dr.; Columbia, S.C. 29210; 803/896-4700; http://www.llronline.com/POL/pharmacy
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t40c043.htm
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t39c023.htm
South Dakota
Oversight Agency: State Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 4305 S. Louise Avenue, Suite 104; Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115; (605) 362-2737; http://doh.sd.gov/boards/pharmacy
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://doh.sd.gov/Resources/Statute.aspx
Tennessee
Oversight Agency: Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: Pharmacy Board; 227 French Landing, Suite 200; Heritage Place Metro Center; Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 741-8402; http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/Pharmacy/index.shtml
Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/1140/1140.htm
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/pharmacy/bdLexisnexis.html
Texas
Oversight Agency: Department of State Health Services, Drugs and Medical Devices Group MC 1987
- Send a fax to (512) 834-6741, or
- Visit the TDSHS website, click on the Public License Search link and enter required information, such as the license number. If the distributor is properly licensed, its name will appear on the webpage. Physicians should print this page and save it as proof of status of verification.
Contact Information: P.O. Box 149347; Austin, TX 78714-9347; phone (512) 834-6755; fax (512) 834-6759; http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/dmd/Find.shtm
Licensing of Wholesale Device Distributors Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=229&sch=X
Licensing of Wholesale Drug Distributors Statutes and Regulations of Reference:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=25&pt=1&ch=229&rl=429
Utah
Oversight Agency: Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing; Pharmacy Board
Contact Information: 160 East 300 South; Salt Lake City, Utah 84111; (801) 530-6628; http://www.dopl.utah.gov
Laws and Regulations:
http://www.dopl.utah.gov/laws/58-37.pdf
http://www.dopl.utah.gov/laws/R156-37.pdf
Vermont
Oversight Agency: Office of Professional Regulation; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 26 Terrace Street, Drawer 09; Montpelier, VT 05609-1106; (802) 828-2363; http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/pharmacists/
Rules and Regulations: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullchapter.cfm?Title=26&Chapter=036
Virginia
Oversight Agency: Department of Health Professionals; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300; Richmond, VA 23233-1463; (804) 367-4456; http://www.dhp.state.va.us/pharmacy/default.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.dhp.state.va.us/pharmacy/leg/Wholesale%20distributors_12232009.doc
Washington
Oversight Agency: State Department of Health; Health Professions Quality Assurance; Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 310 Israel Rd, P.O. Box 47860; Tumwater, WA 98501-7860; (360) 236-4700; http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Pharmacy/default.htm
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Pharmacy/documents/2010LawBook.pdf
West Virginia
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 232 Capitol Street; Charleston, WV 25301; 304/558.0558; http://www.wvbop.com
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://www.wvbop.com/law2.htm
Wisconsin
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: PO Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708-8935; (608) 266-2112; http://www.drl.state.wi.us
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://165.189.60.145/board_code_detail.asp?boardid=46&locid=0
Wyoming
Oversight Agency: Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information: 1712 Carey Avenue, Suite 200, Cheyenne, WY 82002; Phone: (307) 634-9636: http://pharmacyboard.state.wy.us
Statutes and Regulations of Reference: http://pharmacyboard.state.wy.us/laws/Chapter_8_Pharmacy_Act.pdf
Federal
Oversight Agency: U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Contact Information: 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857-0001; 1-888-INFO-FDA; www.fda.gov
- Requirements/Guidelines:
Establishments that produce and distribute medical devices intended for marketing or leasing (commercial distribution) in the United States (U.S.) are required to register with FDA under a process known as initial establishment registration.
- Registration gives FDA the location of medical device manufacturing facilities and importers.
- The owner/operator of the establishment is responsible for registration.
- Registration of an establishment is not an approval of the establishment or its devices by FDA. That is, it does not provide FDA clearance to market. Unless exempt, premarketing clearance is required before a device can be placed into commercial distribution in the U.S.