Georgia State Board of Pharmacy
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440 phone
(866) 888-1308 fax
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/pharmacy

Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards:
The last quarter of the year is one of the busiest processing times for the staff at PLB.  We have twelve different license types in renewal during the period along with a number of December graduates applying for various licenses.  For existing license holders, our on-line renewal process allows us to process in excess of 92% of our renewals with very nominal staff involvement.  It also provides our customers with a process that is fast, efficient, paperless and accurate.

For the new graduates, we now have 32 on-line applications available for those applying for their first license with us.  This enables some new graduates to go on-line, register, apply for licensure and pay their fees.  This  paperless system allows the staff to process applications much quicker to the benefit of the applicant who can receive their license and go to work much faster than in the past.  We are planning more on-line applications for the near future.

As we begin the year 2010, we will continue to offer more services on-line and strive to improve our processing times.  For license holders, please keep your personal information up to date and accurate so our transactions with you can be faster and more accurate. 

Regards,
Randy Vaughn
Director of the Professional Licensing Boards

The Georgia State Board of Pharmacy consists of eight members: seven licensed pharmacists and one consumer member. Typically, the Board meets twelve times each year. Board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items, and applications are discussed.

The practice of pharmacy consists of the art and science that deals with the nature, preparation, administration, and effects of drugs and medications. Pharmacists may dispense drugs or devices as authorized by a written prescription of a physician or authorized practitioner of the healing arts. As a learned science, pharmacist licensure is considered after meeting specific pharmaceutical educational, internship/externship requirements and examination. All pharmacies are inspected prior to licensure and as needed and must meet specific standards for operation.

Minutes from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/pharmacy.

2010 Meeting Dates:

January 13, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
February 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
March 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
April 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
May 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
June 2, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

July 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
August 18, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
September 8, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
October 13, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
November 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
December 8, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Board Members:

Board Staff:

Anita Martin
Executive Director
Georgia State Board of Pharmacy

Number of Active Licensees:

Pharmacist: 12,880
Retail Pharmacy: 2,420
Wholesaler Pharmacy: 1,424
Researcher Pharmacy: 363
Hospital Pharmacy: 213
Nuclear Pharmacist 125
Nuclear Pharmacy: 16
Manufacturing Pharmacy: 108
Pharmacist Intern: 3,021
Prison Pharmacy: 12
Clinic Pharmacy: 3
School Pharmacy: 3
Opioid Treatment Clinic Pharmacy: 49
Home Healthcare - Retail Pharmacy: 35
PBM - Retail Pharmacy: 5
Limited Chemical Wholesale Distributor: 35
Pharmacist Certification of DTM: 30

Actions Taken by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy

October: The Board voted to accept the voluntary surrender of the following individuals’ licenses:

• Jimmy LaVasque, Cartersville
• Leslie Worrell, Macon

The Board voted to accept consent agreements for reinstatement licensure from the following individuals:

• Nader El Kareh, Buford
• T. Royden Thompson, Danville

The Board voted to post changes to the following rule:

• Chapter 480-36, Retail Pharmacy Requirements for Remote Prescription Drug Order Processing: Outlines requirements for remote processing of prescription drug orders by retail pharmacies. Remote prescription drug order processing is defined as the processing of a prescription or patient information from a location other than the location from which the prescription medication is received and dispensed.

November: The Board voted to post an amendment to the following rule:

• Board Rule 480-3-.03, Continuing Pharmacy Education: The amendment requires all Georgia licensed pharmacists to acquire three hours of continuing education in disaster preparedness.

The Board accepted consent orders from the following licensees:

• Phillip James, Royston
• Rite Aid Pharmacy, Dahlonega: One year probation

December: Al McConnell of Milton was sworn in as a new member of the Board.
The Board elected Mickey Tatum of Pine Mountain as President and Steve Wilson of Smyrna as Vice President for 2010.
The Board named Richard Allen as the new Director of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, effective March 2010.
The Board voted to accept a consent order from Pittard Clinic of Toccoa.

License Renewals:

Licenses expire as follows:

Pharmacists: December 31st of even numbered years
Nuclear Pharmacists: December 31st of even numbered years
Clinic Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Home Healthcare, Retail Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Hospital Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Limited Chemical Wholesale Distributors: June 30th of odd numbered years
Manufacturing Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Nuclear Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Opioid Treatment Clinic Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
PBM-Retail Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Prison Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Retail Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
School Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Wholesaler Pharmacy: June 30th of odd numbered years
Researcher Pharmacy: June 30th of even numbered years

It is illegal to practice as a pharmacist with an expired license.

How do I renew my license? 

You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been arrested, convicted or received a board sanction since your last renewal, whether you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether or not you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at (478) 207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at (404) 463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice.

Disciplinary Issues:

The Board addresses these issues on a case-by-case basis and applies sanctions to those who violate the Georgia Board of Pharmacy Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees review all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession. These may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/pharmacy.

All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Georgia Board of Pharmacy website.

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 26-4-60 or at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia Board of Pharmacy website.

Georgia State Board of Pharmacy Complaints Process Information:

The Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Board of Pharmacy to regulate the licensing and regulation of pharmacists and pharmacies in Georgia. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 26-4 is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for disposing of complaints is as follows:

Complaint Form:

Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence indicating a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rules.

Investigations:

The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Complaints are referred to Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency for an investigation. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Georgia Drugs and Narcotics agent for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority.

Notification Process:

While the investigation is ongoing, the Board is unable to discuss the status of a complaint with anyone, including the complainant. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Board’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440.