HB571 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Victor Gaston

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jamie IsonJim Barton

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Pharmacy, Alabama State Board of, pharmacists, regulation and licensing, pharmacy and permit defined, Sec. 34-23-1 am'd.

Summary

This bill defines core terms like 'pharmacy' and 'permit' for Alabama's pharmacy regulation and clarifies which entities need permits and how nonresident distributors may operate.

What This Bill Does

It adds formal definitions to Section 34-23-1 that clarify how pharmacies and related drug businesses are regulated. It defines 'pharmacy' as a licensed place where prescriptions, drugs, and related items are sold, dispensed, or prepared, including places that imply such activity by their name. It defines 'permit' as the Board of Pharmacy's authorization to operate a pharmacy, wholesale drug distributor, repackager, bottler, manufacturer, or packer, with allowance for nonresident distributors meeting home-state registration and PDMA standards to do business in Alabama. It also states that physicians do not need a permit for acts related to professional medical practice, and it becomes effective immediately upon passage and the governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Pharmacists and pharmacies: new definitions clarify licensing scope and what constitutes a 'pharmacy' and a 'permit'.
• Wholesale drug distributors, repackagers, bottlers, manufacturers, and packers: must obtain permits to operate; nonresident distributors may operate in Alabama if registered in their home state and in PDMA compliance.
• Physicians and medical practitioners: no permit is required for acts related to professional practice.

Key Provisions

• Section 34-23-1 is amended to add definitions, including 'pharmacy' and 'permit', and a series of related terms (association, board, chemical, dispense, drugs, extern, hospital, intern, legend drug, license, manufacturer, medical practitioner, medicine, patent or proprietary medicines, person, pharmacist, poison, preceptor, prescription, professional degree, repackager, sale, wholesale drug distributors, etc.).
• Pharmacy is defined as a licensed place where prescriptions, drugs, medicines, medical devices, and poisons are sold, offered for sale, compounded, or dispensed; it may include places whose titles imply such activity.
• Permit is defined as the Board's authority to operate a pharmacy, wholesale drug distributor, repackager, bottler, manufacturer, or packer; nonresident wholesale distributors registered in their home state and complying with PDMA standards may conduct business in Alabama; a permit does not cover receipt or inventory of drugs or medicines, and physicians are exempt from needing a permit for professional practice.
• The act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pharmacy, Alabama State Board of