Who is eligible to own a retail drug outlet?

A retail drug outlet must be owned by individuals or entities that meet specific legal requirements set by state regulations. A sole proprietor is eligible to own a retail drug outlet because they are an individual business owner who has the right to operate a pharmacy. This option aligns with the legal framework governing pharmacy ownership, which permits licensed individuals, such as pharmacists, to meet regulatory obligations while owning and operating their businesses.

The other choices present limitations that do not fully encompass the range of permissible ownership. For instance, while only pharmacists may seem logical as owners, the regulations allow for sole proprietorships where a non-pharmacist may also own an outlet as long as a licensed pharmacist is involved in the management or operation of the pharmacy. Furthermore, patients are not eligible to own a retail drug outlet since ownership requires specific legal and professional qualifications that laypersons do not possess. Lastly, while corporations can own a retail drug outlet, it is not limited to them; hence, stating that only corporations are eligible overlooks the option for sole proprietorships.