Sunset law; Alabama State Board of Pharmacy continued with modification until October 1, 2027

Alabama pharmacy board continues with new membership

The law keeps the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and its governing laws in place through October 1, 2027. It preserves the board’s pharmacy oversight powers. The act takes effect June 1, 2026, but sets earlier dates for membership changes and hiring its executive officer. The law sets January 1, 2026, for a nine-member board, with all members living in Alabama. Seven seats represent hospital, chain, independent, specialty, non-hospital institutional, academic, and at-large pharmacists. One seat is for a registered pharmacy technician, and one is for a consumer. Pharmacists need at least five years of Alabama licensure and active work in pharmacy practice or administration. The technician must be nationally certified, registered in Alabama for at least five years, and actively practicing. Appointing authorities must coordinate to reflect Alabama’s racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. The two state pharmacy schools each nominate two candidates for the at-large pharmacist seat, replacing three nominees from the Alabama Pharmacy Association. Members serving on January 1, 2026, can finish their terms. Successors and reappointed members must meet the new requirements. Members cannot serve more than two full terms in a row. The Governor assigns the four added members initial terms of two, three, or four years, ending December 31. Later terms run five years, from January 1 through December 31. Vacancy appointments cover the remaining term. Nominee lists are due within 45 days of a vacancy; without a list, the appointing authority selects a qualified person. Appointing authorities have 45 days to fill vacancies. Appointees must take and file an oath within 30 days. The Governor can remove members for proven inefficiency, incompetence, immorality, or professional misconduct. Each year, the board elects a pharmacist president, vice president, and treasurer. Members can hold the same office for no more than two years during a five-year term. The law sets November 1, 2025, as the deadline to appoint a secretary as executive officer. This person cannot be a board member, have worked for the board in the previous five years, or work for anyone holding a board-issued credential. The board sets the salary, and the secretary serves at its pleasure.