SB16 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom ButlerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the Board of Pharmacy; to amend Section 34-23-30 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to persons required to have a permit issued by the board to perform pharmacy services; to provide that an entity providing pharmacy services to residents of this state, rather than a person, would be required to have a permit issued by the board.

Summary

SB16 clarifies that an entity providing pharmacy services in Alabama must have a board-issued permit and lays out registration, fee, and reporting requirements for pharmacies and related entities.

What This Bill Does

It requires every entity providing pharmacy services to residents of Alabama to obtain and renew a board permit, with biennial registration. New or expanding entities must apply at least 30 days before opening, and cannot start business until registered, inspected, and permitted. It sets detailed fee schedules for new, renewal, and ownership-change permits (including separate permits for each establishment and higher fees for out-of-state entities), along with renewal deadlines and delinquency penalties. It also mandates reporting changes in ownership or licensed pharmacists, requires presence of a licensed pharmacist to operate, and restricts mail-order pharmacies from transacting without a permit.

Who It Affects

• In-state and out-of-state pharmacies or other entities that provide pharmacy services in Alabama, including hospitals, drugstores, prescription departments, and mail-order operations, which must obtain and renew a board permit, register biennially, and pay applicable fees.
• Owners (including corporate owners) and licensed pharmacists who run or staff these entities, who must report ownership or staff changes within specified timeframes, ensure a licensed pharmacist is on duty, surrender permits when necessary, and comply with 30-day grace periods for certain changes.

Key Provisions

• Amends 34-23-30 to require an entity providing pharmacy services (not just a person) to have a board-issued permit and to register biennially.
• New and renewal permit applications must provide ownership details, licensed pharmacists’ names and license numbers, location, and other board-required information; separate permits for each establishment even if owned by the same owner.
• Permits become due October 31 and expire December 31 of even-numbered years; late renewals incur a $25 per overdue month penalty.
• Fee schedules: new in-state permits $100-$200; in-state renewals $50-$150; ownership transfer $150-$400; out-of-state permits $750-$2,000; out-of-state renewals $400-$750; with specific deadlines and non-transferable permits.
• No mail-order pharmacy may transact business without a permit; changes in ownership or licensed pharmacists must be reported within 10 days; non-registered owners must surrender permits and may have a 30-day compliance period to correct issues.
• If a deceased licensed pharmacist owner’s next of kin inherits the business, they have 30 days to comply, during which no prescriptions may be filled unless a licensed pharmacist is on duty.
• Violations are misdemeanors; section allows board to set rules for authority to grant permits and clarifies it does not delegate authority to regulate pharmacy benefit managers.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pharmacy Board, pharmacy permits, amended to clarify that only an entity required to have a permit.