This bill would relate to the Alabama Board of Pharmacy and further provide for the regulation of the practice of pharmacy and the licensure of pharmacists. This bill would delete the definition of an extern and delete other references to an extern, which would be covered by the term "intern." This bill would delete a requirement for a permit holder as a manufacturer, wholesaler, or other similar pharmaceutical entities to have a full-time licensed pharmacist on the premises. This bill would provide that the penalty for a manufacturer, wholesaler, or other similar pharmaceutical entities shipping drugs, etc. without a permit applies to each shipment as a separate offense. This bill would delete requirements for an affidavit on completion of the practical training program for an intern. This bill would specify that the Board of Pharmacy is directed to adopt rules to administer and enforce the provisions of the law relating to the operation of pharmacies. This bill would delete a provision relating to notice of Board of Pharmacy meetings, which is otherwise covered by general law relating to open meetings. This bill would authorize the treasurer in addition to the president of the board and the secretary to authorize disbursement of board funds. This bill would specify that a proposed rule change of general applicability would be published as determined by the board and would delete a requirement for the electronic mailing of rule changes to each pharmacist. This bill would clarify that the board could assess a penalty for each violation of the pharmacy law and that each offense would be a separate violation. This bill would provide that a "pharmacy technician" registered with the board could perform pharmacy functions and provide for a new position of "pharmacy clerk" who would be registered with the board and authorized to perform operational functions in a pharmacy department under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist as provided by rule. The terms pharmacy technician and pharmacy function, pharmacy clerk and operational function, and supervision would be defined in Section 34-23-1, Code of Alabama 1975. The registration provisions and fee for registration of a pharmacy clerk would be the same as a pharmacy technician.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34-23-1