Pharmacy licenses: letters of reprimand.

Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the regulation and licensure of pharmacists by the California State Pharmacy Board. Existing law authorizes the board to refuse to license an applicant guilty of unprofessional conduct or to issue, at its sole discretion, a probationary license to an applicant who has met all other licensure requirements. This bill would authorize the board to issue a license to an applicant who has committed minor violations that the board deems, in its discretion, do not merit the denial of a license or require probationary status, and to concurrently issue a public letter of reprimand, as specified. The bill would require the letter of reprimand to, among other things, describe in detail the nature and facts of the violation and inform the licensee that he or she may accept the letter of reprimand without challenge or, within 30 days of service of the letter, submit a written request for an office conference to contest the letter of reprimand. The bill requires the executive director of the board, or his or her designee, to hold an office conference with the licensee and his or her legal counsel or authorized representative, if any, within 30 days of receipt of the request, as specified. The bill authorizes the executive officer, or his or her designee, to affirm, modify, or withdraw the letter of reprimand and requires the executive officer, or his or her designee, to provide the licensee with a written decision within 14 calendar days from the date of the office conference. The bill would require a letter of reprimand issued concurrently with a board license to be purged 3 years from the date of issuance, as specified. The bill would require a letter of reprimand to be disclosed to an inquiring member of the public and posted on the board's Internet Web site.