Licensure Standards for Medical-Surgical Products Distributors

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)]: 

1. 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: 
   1. Send a fax to (512) 834-6741, or 
   2. 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.  
    
2. 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. 
1. 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. 
2. If an out-of-state distributor is not licensed by TDSHS, the physician should contact the appropriate state’s licensing agency. 
3. 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.”  

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 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

1. Send a fax to (512) 834-6741, or 
2. 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

1. 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. 
2. Registration gives FDA the location of medical device manufacturing facilities and importers.
3. The owner/operator of the establishment is responsible for registration. 
4. 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.