Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that authorizes the sale of nonprescription drugs through vending machines.

Highlights:

• Requires each pharmacy to apply for a license for a vending machine outlet (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Maine Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to allow a pharmacy licenced as a vending machine outlet to sell or distribute nonprescription drugs by vending machines, and these rules must include but are not limited to the following (Sec. 2):

• A requirement that only nonprescription drugs may be dispensed; 

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed must be stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, including those that require a stable temperature;

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed must be sold only in the manufacturer’s clearly labeled, original, unbroken, tamper-proof, and expiration-dated packaging;

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed may not be older than the manufacturer’s expiration date; and

• A limitation that no more than 12 different nonprescription drugs may be dispensed by any single machine. 

• Prohibits a person from selling, distributing, vending, or otherwise disposing of any drug, medicine or pharmaceutical by means of any public exhibition, entertainment, performance, carnival or by vending machines except through the rules adopted above (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits nonprescription drug vending machines from being located at the following locations (Sec. 2):

• Private schools;

• Public preschool programs;

• Public schools; and 

• Child care facilities. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the sale of nonprescription drugs through vending machines.

Highlights:

• Requires each pharmacy to apply for a license for a vending machine outlet (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Maine Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to allow a pharmacy licenced as a vending machine outlet to sell or distribute nonprescription drugs by vending machines, and these rules must include but are not limited to the following (Sec. 2):

• A requirement that only nonprescription drugs may be dispensed; 

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed must be stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, including those that require a stable temperature;

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed must be sold only in the manufacturer’s clearly labeled, original, unbroken, tamper-proof, and expiration-dated packaging;

• A requirement that nonprescription drugs dispensed may not be older than the manufacturer’s expiration date; and

• A limitation that no more than 12 different nonprescription drugs may be dispensed by any single machine. 

• Prohibits a person from selling, distributing, vending, or otherwise disposing of any drug, medicine or pharmaceutical by means of any public exhibition, entertainment, performance, carnival or by vending machines except through the rules adopted above (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits nonprescription drug vending machines from being located at the following locations (Sec. 2):

• Private schools;

• Public preschool programs;

• Public schools; and 

• Child care facilities. 

Full Bill Text