SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1478

BYRepresentatives Braddock, Brooks and D. Sommers; by request of  Board of Pharmacy

Regulating the board of pharmacy.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989; March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Kris Zabriskie (786-7439)

                  March 24, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Shopkeepers must be licensed to sell nonprescription drugs.  However, those selling 15 or fewer different types are exempt.

Pharmacies, manufacturers, wholesalers, or practitioners must preserve records of prescription drug sales for five years.  These records are subject to inspection by peace officers.

An applicant for licensure as a pharmacist must be a citizen.  In order for an alien to qualify for licensure, he or she must be in a graduate pharmacy education program, or a resident alien.

The Board of Pharmacy has authority to revoke or suspend a license upon violation of state laws, but not federal law, nor for specific convictions of a felony.

Information obtained by the board from pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies or practitioners relative to legend drug purchases or dispensing is not confidential.

SUMMARY:

The exemption from registration for shopkeepers selling 15 or fewer nonprescription drugs is repealed.

Records of the sale or manufacture of prescription drugs must be preserved for two years.  These records must be open to inspection by the board or law enforcement officers authorized to enforce substance abuse violations.  Failure to maintain these records is a misdemeanor.

A person no longer has to be a citizen of the United States to be licensed as a pharmacist.  The Board of Pharmacy may revoke or suspend a license for violation of federal laws or conviction of a felony.

Information obtained by the board from manufacturers, pharmacies and practitioners is declared confidential and is exempt from disclosure under the Public Disclosure Act.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The Board of Pharmacy is placed into the Department of Health if created by June, 1989.  If the Department of Health is created next year, the sunset provision of the board is repealed.  If the Department of Health is not created, the sunset provision dissolving the board would remain in effect.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Don Williams, Pharmacy Board (pro); Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of America (pro)