WSR 98-01-163

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed December 22, 1997, 4:00 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-907 WAC, Pharmaceutical licensing periods and fees.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.250.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The income generated from the board's license fees does not meet operating expenses. Board of Pharmacy operations are funded solely by revenue from licensing fees. It is the policy of the state of Washington that the cost of each professional licensing program be fully borne by the members of that profession. The board's budget allotment for the 1997-98 biennium is 1.9 million dollars. Income generated from current licensing fees will produce 1.6 million dollars. The board has not raised license fees since 1991. During this time, three staff positions have been added to provide support to licensees and to more adequately address legislatively mandated responsibilities. In addition to operating expenses, the board is required to fund portions of services provided to all divisions of the department.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Mailings and public meetings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lisa Salmi, Board of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 47863, Olympia, WA 98504-7863, (360) 586-3018, (360) 586-4359.

Interested parties can contact the board office to obtain a listing of public meetings. The board will also accept written comments until February 1, 1998.

December 22, 1997

Bruce Miyahara