Pharmacies: relocation: remote dispensing site pharmacy: pharmacy technician: qualifications.

The Pharmacy Law requires the California State Board of Pharmacy within the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of pharmacy, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies. The Pharmacy Law authorizes the board, during a declared federal, state, or local emergency, to waive application of any provisions of the Pharmacy Law or the regulations adopted pursuant to it, if, in the board's opinion, the waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care. The Pharmacy Law requires the board to issue a remote dispensing site pharmacy license to a supervising pharmacy, as defined, of a remote dispensing site pharmacy, as defined, if certain requirements are met. The Pharmacy Law authorizes a registered pharmacy technician who meets certain requirements, including meeting qualifications established in regulations adopted by the board, to work at a remote dispensing site pharmacy and perform specific tasks under the supervision of a pharmacist at a supervising pharmacy using a telepharmacy system. This bill would authorize relocation of a pharmacy that is destroyed or severely damaged as a result of a natural disaster or due to events that led to a declared federal, state, or local emergency, if no changes are made to the management and control, or ownership, of the pharmacy, and all applicable laws and regulations are followed, and require that the board be notified of the relocation immediately upon identification of the new location. The bill would specify the qualifications for a registered pharmacy technician to work at a remote dispensing site pharmacy, relating to licensing, certification, education, and minimum work experience, including completion of at least 2,000 hours of experience within the previous 2 years. The Pharmacy Law makes a knowing violation of any of its provisions punishable as a crime. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would result in a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.