In the 2022 regular session, the Alabama Legislature agreed to changes in the state’s pharmacy intern regulations and in how pharmacies are notified of disciplinary action.

Revised Pharmacy Intern Regulation Effective June 1: The statute allows the state pharmacy board to create a pharmacy intern/extern permit and require a background check of applicants to be paid by the applicants. It is effective June 1.

Pharmacy Disciplinary Notification Changes Also Effective June 1: Act No. 2022-145 by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, allows the Alabama Pharmacy board to notify pharmacists or pharmacies of license revocation or other disciplinary matters “by a recognized delivery or courier service selected by the board.” It is effective June 1. Notifications previously only occurred by registered or certified mail. The law simply adds delivery or courier service as an option. It also allows board elections to be conducted by a third party.

PHARMACY LEGISLATION THAT DIED

Pharmacists Prescribing Vaccines/Immunizations: Legislation that would have allowed pharmacists to continue to prescribe vaccines without an annual standing prescription from a physician died in the 2022 regular session. Under the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act), pharmacists have been doing that throughout the pandemic.

SB307 by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, received approval from the Senate Health Committee, but the Senate never debated it. The House Health Committee never considered the House companion, HB402 by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn.

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