NABP RESOLUTION CALLING FOR STATE LICENSING OF ALL DRUG WHSLRS. ADOPTED
Executive Summary
The Natl. Assn. of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is calling for state licensing of all drug whslrs. under a resolution passed at its annual meeting in Philadelphia. The resolution approved by the NABP membership declares: "State boards of pharmacy should take whatever steps are necessary to assure that all legend drug distributors are licensed in the state in which they are operating." The policy statement is part of NABP's recommendation that state boards act to control drug diversion. The resolution identifies drug diversion as a problem requiring responses both at the state and federal level. NABP urges that "state boards of pharmacy . . . take whatever action is possible under their current authority to deal with drug diversion" and support federal legislation dealing with aspects of diversion beyond the authority of individual states. Model regulations on wholesale drug distribution were developed by NABP's Cmte. on Law Enforcement/Legislation and provide a basis for licensing and inspection requirements. Donald Williams, committee chairman, presented the report to NABP membership at the May annual meeting. The "Minimum Standards Section" delineates items to be described by wholesale drug distributors. It includes the statement that "records must be documented and uniformly maintained for a period of years and must contain: (a) source of supply . . . (b) distribution . . . (c) availability for board inspection . . . [and] (d) disposition of returned goods." The resolution of "Control of Drug Diversion" is one of 16 resolutions passed by NABP membership at the annual meeting. The association also urges development of "a Model Practice Act or other model legislation to assist states relative to pharmacist prescribing." NABP explains that the "trend" allowing pharmacists to prescribe necessitates the "Model Legislation for Pharmacists Prescribing." State boards of pharmacy "are responsible for the registration and regulation of these pharmacists," notes NABP. Other areas of concern covered by the resolutions adopted at the NABP annual meeting include practitioner dispensing requirements, discontinuance of legend drug samples, and support for the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1986.