Change in ownership of a pharmacy is defined as more than what percentage of equitable ownership transferred?

• A. 5%
• B. More than 50%
• C. 75%
• D. 50%

Answer: (B)

The key idea is what amount of ownership must be transferred to be considered a change in ownership. In many state pharmacy laws, a change in ownership occurs when someone acquires more than half of the equity of the pharmacy. That “more than half” threshold matters because gaining control—voting power, management decisions, and profit rights—usually follows from owning a majority of the equity. So if a person ends up with 51% or more, it’s a change in ownership and typically triggers regulatory steps like license or permit transfers and required notifications. If exactly 50% is transferred, it does not meet the criterion of more than half, so it isn’t automatically a change in ownership under that rule.