Senate Bill No. 483, introduced by Senator Reese, amends the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy's membership structure and qualifications. The bill reduces the number of pharmacist members from sixteen to eight, with one pharmacist elected from each of the eight pharmacy districts. Additionally, it establishes a new category of eight licensed healthcare professional members, which includes three sterile compounding pharmacists, one chain pharmacy pharmacist, one hospital pharmacist, one independent community pharmacy pharmacist, one licensed physician, and one registered nurse. The bill also mandates that the governor ensure diversity in appointments and introduces term limits for board members, allowing them to serve no more than two consecutive full terms.

The bill outlines a new process for filling vacancies on the board, allowing the governor to appoint replacements for the consumer representative and licensed healthcare professionals without following the standard nomination process, provided they meet the specified qualifications. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature. Overall, the proposed changes aim to enhance the representation and qualifications of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy while ensuring a more diverse and effective governance structure.

Statutes affected:
SB483 Original: 37:1174(A), 37:1175(B)