MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Read
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-21-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN LICENSED PHARMACISTS SHALL HAVE THEIR PHARMACY DEGREES CONVERTED TO DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (PHARMD) DEGREES; TO REQUIRE THOSE PERSONS TO OBTAIN CONTINUING EDUCATION IN CERTAIN SUBJECTS BEFORE A SPECIFIED DATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 73-21-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-21-83. (1) The board shall be responsible for the control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy, to include the regulation of pharmacy externs or interns and pharmacist technicians, in this state, the regulation of the wholesaler distribution of drugs and devices as defined in Section 73-21-73, and the distribution of sample drugs or devices by manufacturer's distributors as defined in Section 73-21-73 by persons other than the original manufacturer or distributor in this state.
(2) A license for the practice of pharmacy shall be obtained by all persons before their engaging in the practice of pharmacy. However, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to physicians, dentists, veterinarians, osteopaths or other practitioners of the healing arts who are licensed under the laws of the State of Mississippi and are authorized to dispense and administer prescription drugs in the course of their professional practice.
(3) The initial licensure fee shall be set by the board but shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).
(4) All students actively enrolled in a professional school of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education who are making satisfactory progress toward graduation and who act as an extern or intern under the direct supervision of a pharmacist in a location permitted by the Board of Pharmacy must obtain a pharmacy student registration before engaging in that activity. The student registration fee shall be set by the board but shall not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
(5) All persons licensed to practice pharmacy before July 1, 1991, by the State Board of Pharmacy under Section 73-21-89 shall continue to be licensed under the provisions of Section 73-21-91.
(6) Any person who holds a license to practice pharmacy on July 1, 2004, who is in good standing with the board, and who received his or her bachelor's degree from a school or college of pharmacy with a four- or five-year pharmacy program, shall have his or her degree converted to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Not later than December 31, 2005, all of those persons must obtain four (4) hours of live continuing education and four (4) hours of regular continuing education in asthma, diabetes and hypertension.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.