§34-23-30. Pharmacy permits generally.

(a) Every pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, drugstore, pharmacy department, prescription department, prescription laboratory, dispensary, apothecary, or any other establishment with a title implying the sale, offering for sale, compounding, or dispensing of drugs in this state, or any person performing pharmacy services in this state, shall register biennially and receive a permit from the Board of Pharmacy. Any person desiring to open, operate, maintain, or establish a pharmacy or perform pharmacy services in this state shall apply to the board for a permit at least 30 days prior to the opening of the business. No pharmacy or entity performing pharmacy services shall open for the transaction of business until it has been registered, inspected, and a permit issued by the board. The application for a permit shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the board which when properly executed shall indicate the ownership desiring such permit and the names and license numbers of all licensed pharmacists employed as well as the location of the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed and other information as the board may require. If more than one pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed is operated by the same owner, a separate application for registration shall be made and a separate permit issued for each such establishment. All permits issued under this section shall become due on October 31 and shall become null and void on December 31 of even-numbered years. Every application for a permit for a new pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). Every application for a renewal permit shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Every application for a permit due to transfer of ownership shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Each application for the renewal of a permit shall be made on or before October 31 of each even-numbered year, at which time the previous permit shall become null and void on December 31 of even-numbered years. A penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25) for each overdue month shall be assessed in addition to the permit fee for renewal of delinquent permits. The secretary of the board shall issue a permit for each pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed whose application is found to be satisfactory by the board. Permits issued under this section shall not be transferable. Any change in the control of ownership or licensed pharmacists shall be reported to the board in writing within 10 days of such occurrence. If the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed is owned by a corporation, the permit shall be issued in the name of the corporation. It shall be the duty of the owners of pharmacies or the owners of entities where pharmacy services are performed who are not licensed pharmacists to immediately notify the board upon the termination of employment of licensed pharmacists and to cause the surrender of permits as indicated. The further operation of the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed in the absence of licensed pharmacists is forbidden; provided, that the nonregistered owner shall have a period of 30 days within which to comply with this provision. The next of kin of any deceased licensed pharmacist owner shall have a period of 30 days within which to comply with the provisions of this chapter, during which time no prescriptions shall be filled unless a licensed pharmacist is on duty. No mail order pharmacy shall transact business in this state without a permit from the board.

(b) Requirements for the grant of authority by the board to any person who offers or performs pharmacy services shall be by board rule.

Nothing contained in this section related to pharmacy services permits shall be interpreted to delegate to the board the authority to promulgate rules governing pharmacy benefit managers.

(c) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 205, p. 231, §14; Acts 1985, No. 85-702, p. 1151, §1; Act 2004-450, p. 801, §1; Act 2012-213, p. 381, §1.)