Indiana News: Legislative Update - Bill Summary of SB202

May 1, 2006 2:13 PM

Published in the May 2006 Indiana Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Pharmacy and wholesale distributor matters, effective July 1, 2006: Allows a mechanical device that dispenses drugs to be used at certain remote locations and health care facilities. Removes authority for pharmacist extern programs. Adds persons who are allowed to be pharmacist interns. Changes references from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination® to the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee™ Certificate. Removes the practical examination requirement for certain pharmacists who are licensed in another jurisdiction. Provides that a person who has not renewed a pharmacist license within seven years must apply for a new license. Allows certain hospitals to operate Type II pharmacies in approved locations near the licensed area. Prohibits licensing a pharmacy in a residence. Authorizes the [B]oard of [P]harmacy ([B]oard) to temporarily suspend certain statutes or administrative rules that would prevent, hinder, or delay the appropriate delivery of pharmaceutical care during a state of emergency declared by the governor or the President of the United States. Provides that companies that only manufacture or distribute medical gases are not wholesale drug distributors or manufacturers. Adds and amends definitions concerning wholesale drug distributors. Allows the [B]oard to appoint a designee to inspect wholesale distribution operations. Requires a person seeking a wholesale drug distributor license to provide the [B]oard with a criminal history and financial background checks. Requires a record keeping pedigree for certain legend drugs that leave the normal chain of custody. Removes the requirement that drug distributors have: (1) a continuous quality improvement system; and (2) policies concerning certain drugs that may be returned. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) temporary pharmacist licenses; (2) qualifications to be an authorized wholesale drug distributor; and (3) certain random authentications of pedigrees by wholesale drug distributors.

A copy of the entire bill may be found at www.in.gov/legislative.