2023 -- H 5191

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LC000534

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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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

     Referred To: House Finance

     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 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 shall be required

to furnish any information that the board may, by regulation, prescribe and, simultaneously with

the filling 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

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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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

***

     This act would provide that beginning on December 1, 2024, the renewal fee for a

pharmacist license shall not be more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) biennially, that a

nonresident pharmacy license fee shall not be less than six hundred twenty-five dollars ($625) and

that license to pharmacy interns would be valid for a period not less than five (5) years and licenses

for pharmacy technicians valid for not less than two (2) years. This act would also align the

licensing renewal period for pharmacist with the continuing education requirements.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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