Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Dimitrios Alexiou, Don Averill, Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Erin Brinker, Rachelle Bussell, Bill Easley, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Ralph Kuncl, Ed Lasak, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Tomas Morales, Charlie Ng, John Prentice, Susan Rice, Paul Shimoff, Shelli Stockton, Steve von Rajcs, Phil Waller, Stan Weisser and A.J. Wilson.
Guests: Mayor Pete Aguilar, Billie Hughes, Frank Reyes and Barbara Riordan
Announcements: 1) Currently there are 19 attendees for the trip to Washington, D.C. scheduled for March 17-21st, 2013. Congressmen Miller’s office has indicated they will be happy to assist with the scheduling of appointments in D.C.
M/S/P: Minutes from December 11, 2012
Shelli Stockton introduced Stan Weisser, President, California Pharmacy Board.
Consumer protection is the mission of the California Board of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy Board is a state regulatory agency that works to protect and promote the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist’s care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement.
The Pharmacy board is made up of 13 members and has an annual budget of over $12 million. They are responsible for wholesale, manufacturers and distributors of all drug facilities for both human and animal consumption.
The Pharmacy Board regulates and licenses pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in order to maintain quality standards. There are some 130,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in our state. The Board also has the authority to cite and fine non-compliant pharmacies and revoke licenses. The Board strongly encourages pharmacists to get out from behind the counter to relate with and assist people with questions and concerns. This public education is critical as many are confused with multiple medications and drug interactions.
Reliable Suppliers/Internet drugs The Internet market for the purchase of drugs is a rapidly growing business. Reports have shown that up to 96% of online pharmacies either break the law or operate outside accepted codes of practice. This equates to thousands of drugs being taken that are potentially dangerous. These drugs may be lacking potency or sterility and include many that are phony and unapproved for use.
The Pharmacy Board’s web site www.pharmacy.ca.gov is a good tool to use to verify that a wholesaler or non-resident pharmacy is licensed by the Board. Reliable suppliers for pharmaceuticals are critical. Some examples of reliable suppliers are FDA licensed manufacturers, CA Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch licensed drug re-packagers; CA licensed pharmacies and wholesalers; CA licensed non-resident wholesalers. Internet drug sales are enormous and will best be controlled with federal legislation.
The board reviews and analyses the continued education needed for relicensing. Currently 30 units of training are required per year. The board encourages the self –testing that is available.
The recent outbreak of fungal meningitis was due to unsterile conditions at the compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts. Since then three additional compounding pharmacies were found to have problems with the preparation or storage of drugs. The Pharmacy Board works with legislators to update and create policies to protect and inform the consumer.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 a.m.