Protect Your Pharmacy or Pharmacy Techs License!

As with physicians and nurses, pharmacists routinely undergo harsh scrutiny for any criminal convictions, particularly convictions involving DUI or possession of a controlled substance or substances and/or crimes showing a pattern of substance abuse. New applicants, and renewal applicants, must disclose all convictions, including pleas of no contest or any convictions that were set aside or deferred pursuant to Sections 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code, including misdemeanor, felonies and certain infractions. Infractions with a fine of less than $500.00 need not be reported unless the infraction involved alcohol, such as DUI, or a controlled substance or substances. 

The California Board of Pharmacy regulates and disciplines pharmacists under the umbrella of the Department of Consumer Affairs.  Discipline of pharmacists is governed under the California Business and Professions Code Sections 4300 et. seq. Pursuant to Section 4301, the board shall act against any licensee holder who is guilty of unprofessional conduct, which shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following acts:

• (f) The commission of any act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or corruption, whether the act is committed in the course of relations as a licensee or otherwise, and whether the act is a felony or misdemeanor or not.
• (h) The administering to oneself, of any controlled substance, or the use of any dangerous drug or of alcoholic beverages to the extent or in a manner as to be dangerous or injurious to oneself, to a person holding a license under this chapter, or to any other person or to the public, or to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by the license.
• (k) The conviction of more than one misdemeanor or any felony involving the use, consumption, or self-administration of any dangerous drug or alcoholic beverage, or any combination of those substances.
• (l) The conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a licensee under this chapter.