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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: HHS DPA 12-0-0-0 |
HB 2733: pharmacy board; renewals; ownership change
Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1
Caucus & COW
Overview
Allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to complete required continuing education (CE) after submitting a renewal application and paying fees, if all CE is completed before the license expires. Expands permissible delivery locations for prescription medications, unless prohibited by federal law. Allows business permittees to continue operations under its existing permit during a change of ownership if certain conditions are met.
History
The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy (Board) is established to regulate the practice of pharmacy and the distribution of prescription medications and controlled substances in order to protect the public health and safety. The Board licenses and regulates pharmacists, pharmacy interns and technicians, and issues permits for pharmacies, wholesalers, manufactures and other entities engaged in the distribution of drugs and devices. The Board must establish continuous education that licensed pharmacists or pharmacy technicians must satisfactorily complete to be eligible to receive a renewal of licensure (A.R.S. §§ 32-1904, 32-1925, 32-1936).
Provisions
1. Clarifies it is not unethical conduct for a pharmacist or pharmacy to use an employee or a common carrier, unless prohibited by federal law, to pick up prescription orders at or deliver prescription medications to a patient:
a. resident's or workplace;
b. a hospital or long-term care facility; or
c. another designated physical address provided by the patient where the patient or their designated agent is available to receive a deliver. (Sec. 1)
2. Allows both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to complete their mandatory continuing professional pharmacy education requirements after submitting a renewal application and paying the applicable renewal fee, if the CE requirements are completed before the license expires for that renewal cycle. (Sec. 2)
3. Requires the Board to update and maintain the renewal application and renewal procedures for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. (Sec. 2)
4. Allows a business to continue operating under its existing permit during a change in ownership if the following conditions are met:
a. the new owner submits a complete application for a new permit at least 14 business days before the change of ownership occurs;
b. the business remains in compliance with all applicable statutes and rules to the permit type;
c. the existing permit has not expired, suspended or revoked; and
d. the new owner attests to assume responsibility for compliance with all regulatory requirements during the transition period. (Sec. 3)
5. Allows the Board to deny continued operation of a business if it determines:
a. the change in ownership presents a risk to public health or safety;
b. the new owner has failed to meet any applicable requirements; or
c. the Board has credible evidence of fraud, diversion or other conduct that would constitute grounds for permit denial. (Sec. 3)
6. Terminates continued operations of a business automatically on the earliest of either:
a. the date the Board issues the new permit; or
b. the date the Board denies the permit application. (Sec. 3)
7. Subjects a business that is operating under its existing permit during a change in ownership to all inspections, reporting requirements and enforcement actions to the same extent as a permitted entity. (Sec. 3)
8. Prohibits wholesaling or distributing a prescription drug or device, a controlled substance, nonprescription drug, regulated chemical, medical gas or durable medical equipment without a valid Board-issued permit. (Sec. 4)
9. Specifies that the business change of ownership provisions are notwithstanding any other laws to the contrary as it pertains to the regulation of pharmacy. (Sec. 3)
10. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 4)
Amendments
Committee on Health & Human Services
1. Allows a business to continue operating under its existing permit during a change in ownership if the new owner notifies the Board within seven calendar days after the effective date of the change in ownership and submits a permit application within 30 days after the effective date of the change of ownership.
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Initials AG HB 2733
2/11/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW
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