Board of Pharmacy's Procedures Comply with State Law, Best Practices; Some Regulatory Processes Could Be Stronger

An evaluation of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy's regulation of the state's pharmacists found that LABP has established licensing, inspection, complaint, and enforcement procedures that comply with state law and conform to most regulatory best practices. However, the board could make changes that would strengthen its oversight processes.

The LABP is charged with licensing all pharmacies and individuals who engage in the practice of pharmacy or operate a pharmacy. In addition, LABP inspects pharmacies, receives complaints, maintains a record of all enforcement actions taken against licensees, and makes information about disciplinary actions available to the public.

While the LABP is in compliance with state law and most best practices in these areas, auditors identified other areas where the board could strengthen its oversight processes.

· For example, auditors found LABP conducted most of its required inspections in a timely manner between fiscal years 2013 and 2017. However, it did not inspect 505 (9.7 percent) of 5,229 pharmacies and controlled dangerous substance licensees according to required timeframes. Additionally, 42 (9.1 percent) of 464 controlled dangerous substance licensees were not inspected at all. Management said this was because it did not have enough compliance officers until late 2016 and focused on inspections of high-risk licensees over low-risk licensees.

· LABP's policy also does not specify which violations require follow-up inspections, nor does it require compliance officers to document follow-up inspections. As a result, management cannot ensure that follow-up inspections are conducted when required and that violations are corrected. Auditors found that the board did not conduct follow-up inspections on five (45.5 percent) of 11 pharmacies placed on probation between fiscal years 2013 and 2016.