Chapter 216
2023 -- H 5191
Enacted 06/21/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Noret, McEntee, Spears, Cotter, Kazarian, Solomon, Alzate, Potter, and McGaw

Date Introduced: January 19, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Sections 5-19.1-11, 5-19.1-15, 5-19.1-16 and 5-19.1-20 of the General Laws
in Chapter 5-19.1 entitled "Pharmacies" are hereby amended to read as follows:
     5-19.1-11. Nonresident pharmacy — Fees — Display — Declaration of ownership and
location.
     (a) Any pharmacy located outside this state that ships, mails, or delivers, in any manner,
legend drugs, controlled substances, or devices into this state is a nonresident pharmacy and shall
be licensed by the department. The nonresident pharmacy shall maintain at all times a valid
unexpired license, permit, or registration to operate the pharmacy in compliance with the laws of
the state in which it is located. Any pharmacy subject to this section shall comply with the board
of pharmacy regulations of this state when dispensing legend drugs or devices to residents of this
state.
     (b) A pharmacy license will be issued to the owner who meets the requirements established
pursuant to this chapter or regulations. On and after December 1, 2024, for licenses issued or
renewed, the The owner of each pharmacy shall pay an original license fee to be determined by the
director, and annually thereafter, on or before a date to be determined by the director, of not less
than six hundred twenty-five dollars ($625), for which he or she the owner shall receive a license
of location that shall entitle the owner to operate the pharmacy at the specified location, or any
other temporary location as the director may approve, for the period ending on a date to be
determined by the director. Each owner shall, at the time of filing, provide proof of payment of the
fee and each owner shall file with the department, on a provided form, a declaration of ownership
and location. The declaration of ownership and location so filed shall be deemed presumptive
evidence of ownership of the pharmacy mentioned in the form. A license shall be issued to the
owner and premise listed on the form and shall not be transferred. A license issued pursuant to this
section shall be the property of the state and loaned to the licensee and it shall be kept posted in a
conspicuous place on the licensed premises. If a change in owner or premise listed in the form
occurs, the license shall become null and void.
     (c) It shall be the duty of the owner to immediately notify the department of any proposed
change of location or ownership.
     (d) In the event the license fee remains unpaid on the date due, no renewal or new license
shall be issued except upon payment of the license renewal fee.
     5-19.1-15. Pharmacy interns — License — Fees — Renewals.
     (a) Any person who is a graduate of an accredited program of pharmacy, or who is a student
enrolled in at least the third year of a professional program of an accredited program of pharmacy,
or any graduate of a foreign college of pharmacy who has obtained FPGEC certification may file
an application for licensure as a pharmacy intern with the department. He or she The applicant
shall be required to furnish any information that the board may, by regulation, prescribe and,
simultaneously with the filling filing of the application, shall pay to the department a fee to be
determined by the department. All licenses issued to pharmacy interns shall be valid for a period to
be determined by the department, however, for all pharmacy intern licenses issued or renewed on
or after December 1, 2024, shall be issued for a period not less than five (5) years, but in no instance
shall the license be valid if the individual is no longer making timely progress toward graduation.
No pharmacy student may serve an internship with a preceptor without holding a valid pharmacy
intern license from the board of pharmacy.
     (b) To ensure adequate practical instruction, pharmacy internship experience as required
under this chapter shall be obtained after licensure as a pharmacy intern by practice in any licensed
pharmacy or other program meeting the requirements promulgated by regulation of the board, and
shall include any instruction in the practice of pharmacy that the board by regulation shall prescribe.
     (c) Licensed pharmacy interns shall practice only under the immediate supervision of a
licensed pharmacist.
     5-19.1-16. Pharmacy technicians — License — Fees — Renewals.
     A pharmacy technician license shall be issued to any individual who meets the
requirements established under this chapter or by regulations. The pharmacy technician shall file
an application for licensure with the department and shall be required to furnish any information
that the board may, by regulation, prescribe and, simultaneously with the filing of the application,
shall pay a fee to the department to be determined by the department. All licenses issued to
pharmacy technicians shall be valid for a period to be determined by the department; however, for
all pharmacy technician licenses issued or renewed on or after December 1, 2024, shall be issued
for a period not less than two (2) years. No individual may serve as a pharmacy technician without
holding a valid pharmacy technician license from the board of pharmacy.
     5-19.1-20. License — Renewal — Fee display.
     Every licensed pharmacist who desires to practice pharmacy shall secure from the
department a license pursuant to the provisions of §§ 5-19.1-8 and 5-19.1-14, the fee for which
shall be determined by the director. The renewal fee shall also be determined in regulation by the
director, and, the renewal fee for any licensing period commencing on or after December 1, 2024,
shall not be more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) biennially. Each licensing period shall
coincide with the continuing education requirement period, with the licensing period starting on
January 1 and ending on December 31 of each calendar year. The date of renewal may be
established by the director by regulation, and the department may by regulation extend the duration
of a licensing period. The current license shall be conspicuously displayed to the public in the
pharmacy to which it applies.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC000534
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