October Term 2001 · Docket 01-344
Can states waive federal drug safety rules for mail-order pharmacies?
the sides that brought the case argue federal law bans unsafe drug sales. the opposing sides claim states can waive these rules for mail-order pharmacies.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Kneedler argued federal law requires FDA approval for new drugs.
Mr. Hoffman presented the opposing sides' position on state waivers.
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if pharmacists must call pharmacies for consultations.
The Court submitted the case after hearing both advocates.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 47-60 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 47-60
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests if federal drug safety laws override state waivers for mail-order pharmacies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 26, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 47-60 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 47-60
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to enforce federal drug safety rules for all pharmacies.
the opposing sides want the Court to allow states to waive federal rules for mail-order pharmacies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue federal law requires FDA approval for all new drug sales.
the opposing sides argue states can waive federal rules for mail-order pharmacy services.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
What the justices asked
Does a pharmacist need to call the pharmacy to provide consultation services?
Can states waive federal drug safety requirements for mail-order pharmacies?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 47-60 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 47-60
Why it matters
This dispute determines if states can bypass federal drug safety standards. It affects how pharmacies sell new drugs to patients nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 47-60 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 47-60
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 41-35 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 41-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 11-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.