MONTGOMERY — Legislators voted to overhaul the Alabama Board of Pharmacy at a Tuesday committee meeting.
The changes were approved by a 4-3 margin at a sunset legislative committee meeting that oversees Alabama’s professional licensing boards. The changes brought by State Rep. Kerry Underwood (R-Tuscumbia) and State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston) will still have to be approved by the legislature in the upcoming session.
The changes include adding four members to the existing board of five members, a new secretary appointed by the board who hasn’t served in any capacity with the board over the last five years, and removing the board’s authority to set “non-disciplinary administrative penalties.”
“I feel good about what we’ve done. They probably think it’s punitive, and I understand that, and in some ways it is. In the end, I think we will have the 10 days to get it through, and we will get it through in one form or the other. I’m confident in where I’m at with it,” Underwood told 1819 News on Tuesday. “We want everybody treated the same way for the same reason, especially on the ones that are not related to public safety. On late license renewals and things such as that, we just want everybody to be treated the same, in the same way, and in the same time frame with things such as that.”
A recent report found several instances of "significant issues” on the board.
The issues included how the board reported income, over-fining, levying non-specified fees, charging non-licensed entities, meeting minutes that are inconsistent with board actions, violations of Alabama's Open Meetings Act, failure to file oaths of office with the secretary of state's office, failing to deposit receipts promptly, violating the state's open-bidding rules, inaccurate invoicing, overpaying vendors over the contracted amount and unlawfully procuring supplies and services.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
