Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy Records
- Dates:
- 1894-1998
- Creators:
- California Board of Pharmacy Department of Professional and Vocational Standards, Board of Pharmacy Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Pharmacy
- Abstract:
- The records of the Board of Pharmacy contain 20.5 cubic feet and 58 volumes of textual records spanning the years from 1894 to 1998. The records document the Board's work to protect consumers by licensing and regulating those responsible for dispensing medication to the public, providing pharmaceutical information to the public and developing and enforcing state pharmaceutical regulations.
- Extent:
- 20.5 cubic feet, 53 volumes, 6 - 7" vinyl records, and 1 mini floppy disk
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy Records, R126.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The records of the Board of Pharmacy contain 20.5 cubic feet and 58 volumes of textual records spanning the years from 1894 to 1998. The records document the Board's work to protect consumers by licensing and regulating those responsible for dispensing medication to the public, providing pharmaceutical information to the public and developing and enforcing state pharmaceutical regulations.
A large portion of the Board of Pharmacy records are comprised of registers and files recording the licensing of pharmaceutical dispensaries. The Board's primary means of regulating pharmacy practices within the state is through issuing permits and licenses. A quality standard of pharmacy practice is maintained through the qualifications needed to obtain and renew licenses and permits. The registers and files of permits and licenses, though not comprehensive, provide a record of the many types of practitioners and facilities that the Board regulates with licenses and permits including pharmacists, interns, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, home and community support services, and out-of-state mail order pharmacies.
Minutes and board meeting files make up another significant portion of the Board of Pharmacy records. These series provide information and insight into the Board's roles as creator, keeper and enforcer of pharmaceutical regulations. In addition to the Board's discussion of regulations, these series record disciplinary appearances before the Board documenting both revocation and reinstatement of permits and licenses.
The committee files though not substantial in volume, are an important record of the supplementary duties of the Board of Pharmacy. The Board has had many different committees over the years. The committees research issues and develop policy geared toward achieving the Board's goals. Most committees were short lived and addressed issues related to current concerns of the Board such as the automation of a triplicate system. The more long-standing committees addressed issues relating to ongoing responsibilities of the Board such as communication and public education.
The remainder of the Board of Pharmacy records includes bill files, resolutions, subject files, correspondence, and records pertaining to the administration of the Board. Each of these series, in addition to those already listed, illustrate the changes in pharmacy and the Board's jurisdiction over the more than 100-year span of the records.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Board of Pharmacy was created in 1891 by the passage of SB84 to "regulate the practice of pharmacy and sale of poisons in the State of California." The Board was originally comprised of seven governor-appointed pharmacists, each from a different area of the state (Statutes of 1891, Chapter 85). In 1929, the Board of Pharmacy was placed under the Department of Professional and Vocation Standards with the department overseeing the Board's administrative and fiscal affairs. (Statutes of 1929, Chapter 290). The department was restructured and renamed the Department of Consumer Affairs by the Governors Reorganization Plan No.2 of 1970. The Board currently consists of thirteen members - seven pharmacists and six public members. The seven pharmacists are appointed by the governor and are required to reside in different regions of the state. Four of the public members are also appointed by the governor and the remaining two are appointed by the Assembly Speaker and the Senate Rules Committee, each appointing one.
From its earliest period, the Board was responsible for regulating the handling and distribution of dangerous and restricted drugs, devices, poisons, hypodermics, and prophylactics. They did so by licensing and regulating individuals and facilities engaged in handling such articles - pharmacists, pharmacist assistants and pharmacies within the state. The field of pharmacy has expanded significantly since 1891 and with it, so has the Board's jurisdiction. The Board of Pharmacy now regulates numerous other pharmaceutical related practitioners and facilities in addition to those mentioned above; examples include interns, exemptees (non-licensed persons involved with the wholesalers manufacturers of drugs and medical devices), hospitals, clinics, in-home and community support centers, as well as out-of-state order pharmacies that send filled prescriptions to California. As of 2009, the Board licenses over 100,000 individuals and firms.
In addition to licensing, the Board is responsible for routinely inspecting licensed pharmaceutical facilities and investigating complaints made against any pharmaceutical practitioners or facilities. If a violation is found, the Board has the authority to take disciplinary action; this may include revocation of a license or permit, fines, probation, continuing education classes or a simple warning. The Board also maintains an approved list of accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy and continuing education courses. Because the Board is able to control the quality of academic and training standards in pharmacy education through accreditation, they are able to control the quality of the skills of those entering the pharmacy practice. A pharmacy degree is required for admittance to the pharmacy exam (which the Board creates and administers) and continuing education is required for the renewal of licenses.
- Acquisition information:
- The California State Archives acquired the Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy Records according to state law.
- Physical location:
- California State Archives
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2009
- Date Encoded:
- Machine-readable finding aid created by Choquette Marrow and Archvies Staff. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 01 July 2009.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Several series in this record group are restricted pursuant to Civil Code section 1798.1 because they contain personal information as defined by the Civil Code section 1798.3.
Foreign Graduate Files (Series R126.22)
Deceased Pharmacist Files (Series R126.23)
Retired/Cancelled Pharmacist Files (Series R126.24)
- Terms of access:
-
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy Records, R126.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
1020 "O" StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 653-2246