What is a "non-resident pharmacy"?

A non-resident pharmacy refers specifically to a pharmacy that is located outside of the state in which it is providing services but is engaged in shipping or delivering medications to patients within that state. In the context of North Carolina, a pharmacy that sends medications to patients in North Carolina from a location outside the state qualifies as a non-resident pharmacy. This definition aligns with regulations governing what constitutes a non-resident pharmacy: it emphasizes the out-of-state status while indicating that its services impact residents within North Carolina.

The other choices do not capture the essence of a non-resident pharmacy. A pharmacy serving only local patients doesn’t fit the definition since it operates within a specific locality without crossing state lines. A pharmacy providing services exclusively online also does not meet the criteria, as the physical location of the pharmacy is critical in categorizing it. Lastly, a pharmacy located within North Carolina is, by definition, a resident pharmacy, as it does not involve the complexities associated with interstate operations that non-resident pharmacies entail.