Pharmacy: sunset review: advanced pharmacist practitioner.

The California Assembly Committee on Business and Professions has put forward legislation to refine pharmacy practice regulations, primarily focusing on advanced practice pharmacists. The measure renames these practitioners as "advanced pharmacist practitioners" while maintaining their existing scope of practice, which includes conducting patient assessments, ordering and interpreting drug therapy tests, and managing medication regimens.

Under the bill's provisions, pharmacists seeking advanced practitioner status must hold an active license and meet two qualifying criteria from among specialized certifications, postgraduate residency experience, or clinical service under collaborative agreements. The recognition remains valid for two years and requires an additional 10 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle beyond standard pharmacist requirements.

The legislation also initiates a sunset review of the California State Board of Pharmacy, which currently oversees pharmacy practice and licensing. The board's existing authority expires January 1, 2026, pending legislative evaluation through the joint oversight process. This review will examine the board's operations and may result in structural or operational modifications based on legislative recommendations.

The measure updates various licensing and renewal fees, setting the advanced pharmacist practitioner application and renewal fee at $300, with potential increases up to $418. These adjustments align with the board's mandate to maintain approximately one year of operating expenses in reserve.