In early January, the Sunset Committee narrowly approved a series of reforms regarding the operations of the State Board of Pharmacy. Representative and member of the Sunset Committee Kerry (Bubba) Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, is sponsoring HB123 which provides for the continuance of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026.
The bill reconstitutes and expands the board, adding two pharmacy technicians and two additional at-large members, one of which is a licensed health care professional. Additionally, it establishes qualifications for board members, authorizes the imposition of late fees, and eliminates the board’s authority to impose non-disciplinary administrative penalties. It also requires the board to separate the office of general counsel into two divisions: an administrative division and a disciplinary division. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the disclosure of certain information between these divisions.
There were divided opinions among Sunset Committee members regarding the proposal, with some expressing concern that it might not pass through both chambers, potentially leaving the state without a functioning pharmacy board.
Other pharmacy-related bills introduced include:
- SB28 sponsored by Sen. William Beasley D-Clayton, also related to the Board of Pharmacy
- SB43 sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson R-Florence, concerning information disclosure by pharmacists to patients
- SB93 sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones R-Centre, and SB99 Sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts R-Tuscumbia, to regulate pharmacy benefit managers
- HB79 sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown R-Mobile, to prohibit punitive action against pharmacists that recommend or dispense drugs for off-label use.
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