State boards of pharmacy have broad authority to discipline licensees — from reprimands and fines to license suspension and revocation.
Common triggers for board investigation
Dispensing errors: Medication errors that result in patient harm or complaint are frequently investigated. Pharmacies should have documented error reporting systems.
Controlled substance violations: Diversion, recordkeeping failures, DEA registration violations, and failure to report PMP discrepancies are serious triggers.
CE compliance failures: Falsifying CE records, renewing with insufficient CE, or failing to complete mandatory topics can result in disciplinary action.
Criminal convictions: Most state pharmacy practice acts require licensees to report criminal convictions (often within 30 days). Failure to report can compound the original offense.
Unprofessional conduct: Defined broadly by most states. Can include patient privacy violations, impaired practice, or conduct unbecoming a pharmacist.
Multi-state considerations
A disciplinary action in one state typically triggers reporting obligations to other states where you hold licenses. Many state boards check NABP’s Disciplinary Clearinghouse as part of license renewal. A suspension in one state can trigger review in others.
Board investigations
If contacted by a state board investigator, pharmacists should consult with a pharmacy law attorney before providing statements. This article is informational only — consult a pharmacy law attorney for specific legal advice.