Stockpiling of essential medications for emergencies authorized, report required, and money appropriated.

This bill authorizes the Minnesota Department of Health to create and manage a stockpile of essential prescription and over-the-counter medications to prepare for drug shortages and public health emergencies. The Department of Health will work with medical experts, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare facilities to determine what medications to stockpile and may hire third-party vendors to handle storage, tracking, and distribution. During emergencies, the department can establish equitable distribution limits to ensure fair access to medications, while also coordinating with local health authorities and emergency responders. The bill requires an annual report to legislative committees detailing the stockpile's inventory, usage, and management updates, and it appropriates funding from the state's general fund to support these efforts.