HB587 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Pharmacy, practice of pharmacy declared a learned profession, Sec. 34-23-2 am'd.

Summary

HB587 would declare the practice of pharmacy in Alabama a learned profession and require regulation to protect public health and safety.

What This Bill Does

The bill Amends Section 34-23-2 to state that the practice and management of pharmacies affect public health and are subject to regulation. It declares pharmacy a learned profession due to the need for unusual learning and high ethical standards, and directs that pharmacies be managed to protect the public. It clarifies that the bill does not expand pharmacists' ability to diagnose, treat, or prescribe, or to dispense drugs beyond what is allowed by other laws. It becomes effective immediately after passage and the governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Pharmacists and pharmacy owners/operators: must follow regulation and ethics standards, ensure only qualified persons dispense prescription drugs, and cannot diagnose or prescribe beyond existing laws.
• Alabama residents/public: benefit from regulation intended to protect public health, safety, and welfare in the pharmacy setting.

Key Provisions

• Declares the practice of pharmacy and management of pharmacies affect public health, safety, and welfare and are subject to regulation.
• Declares pharmacy a learned profession due to the need for unusual learning and high ethical standards; sets a standard of ethics higher than the market.
• Does not authorize pharmacists to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for illness or modify dispensing beyond what is permitted by other sections; ownership and operation of pharmacies are not restricted by this act.
• Repeals laws that conflict with this act.
• 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

Health