§ 12-280-201 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly finds,
determines, and declares that the creation of a pharmacy peer health assistance
program for those persons subject to the jurisdiction of the board will serve to
safeguard the life, health, property, and public welfare of the people of this state. A
pharmacy peer health assistance program will help practitioners experiencing
impaired practice due to psychiatric, psychological, or emotional problems;
excessive alcohol or drug use; or alcohol or substance use disorders. The general
assembly further declares that a pharmacy peer health assistance program will
protect the privacy and welfare of those persons who provide services and at the
same time assist the board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities to ensure
that only qualified persons are allowed to engage in providing those services that
are under the jurisdiction of the board.

(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that the pharmacy peer health
assistance program and its related procedures be utilized by the board in
conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the use of disciplinary proceedings by the
board, which proceedings are by their nature time-consuming and costly to the
people of this state. The pharmacy peer health assistance program is hereby
established to alleviate the need for disciplinary proceedings, while at the same
time providing safeguards that protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The
general assembly further declares that it intends that the board will act to
implement the provisions of this article 280.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1485, � 1, effective October 1. L. 2021: Entire section amended, (SB 21-094), ch. 314, p. 1938, � 21, effective September 1.