Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
For purposes of this chapter, the definitions of the terms in this article shall govern the construction of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated.
California Business and Professions Code — §§ 4015-4046
Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
For purposes of this chapter, the definitions of the terms in this article shall govern the construction of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated.
Repealed and added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Administer” means the direct application of a drug or device to the body of a patient or research subject by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 5. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
“Advanced pharmacist practitioner” means a licensed pharmacist who has been recognized as an advanced pharmacist practitioner by the board, pursuant to Section 4210. A board-recognized advanced pharmacist practitioner is entitled to practice advanced practice pharmacy, as described in Section 4052.6, within or outside of a licensed pharmacy as authorized by this chapter.
Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 653, Sec. 20. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2011.
“Authorized officers of the law” means inspectors of the California State Board of Pharmacy, inspectors of the Food and Drug Branch of the State Department of Public Health, and investigators of the department’s Division of Investigation or peace officers engaged in official investigations.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 6. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.
patients pursuant to prior authorization by a pharmacist.
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Board” means the California State Board of Pharmacy.
Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 858, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.
An “order,” entered on the chart or medical record of a patient registered in a hospital or a patient under emergency treatment in the hospital, by or on the order of a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs, shall be authorization for the administration of the drug from hospital floor or ward stocks furnished by the hospital pharmacy or under licensure granted under Section 4056, and shall be considered to be a prescription if the medication is to be furnished directly to the patient by the hospital pharmacy or another pharmacy furnishing prescribed drugs for hospital patients; provided that the chart or medical record of the patient contains all of the information required by Sections 4040 and 4070 and the order is signed by the practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs, if he or she is present when the drugs are given. If he or she is not present when the drugs are given, the order shall be signed either by the attending physician responsible for the patient’s care at the time the drugs are given to the patient or by the practitioner who ordered the drugs for the patient on the practitioner’s next visit to the hospital.
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Controlled substance” means any substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 29, Sec. 1. (SB 118) Effective August 6, 2020.
Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 250, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.
“Dangerous drug” or “dangerous device” means any drug or device unsafe for self-use in humans or animals, and includes the following:
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 7. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 598, Sec. 2. (SB 752) Effective January 1, 2018.
“Designated representative-reverse distributor” means an individual to whom a license has been granted pursuant to Section 4053.2, who is responsible for supervision over a licensed wholesaler that only acts as a reverse distributor. A pharmacist fulfilling the duties of Section 4053.2 shall not be required to obtain a license as a designated representative-reverse distributor.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 8. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Device” means any instrument, apparatus, machine, implant, in vitro reagent, or contrivance, including its components, parts, products, or the byproducts of a device, and accessories that are used or intended for either of the following:
For purposes of this chapter, “device” does not include contact lenses, or any prosthetic or orthopedic device that does not require a prescription.
Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 621, Sec. 47. Effective January 1, 2006.
For the purposes of this chapter, “direct supervision and control” means that a pharmacist is on the premises at all times and is fully aware of all activities performed by either a pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist.
Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 413, Sec. 22. (AB 2684) Effective January 1, 2023.
Section 2837.103 or 2837.104, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, or veterinarian, or by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2836.1, naturopathic doctor, or physician assistant acting within the scope of their practice.
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Drug” means any of the following:
Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Nonprescription drug” means a drug which may be sold without a prescription and which is labeled for use by the consumer in accordance with the requirements of the laws and rules of this state and the federal government.
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 139, Sec. 1. (AB 602) Effective July 31, 2017.
“Nonprescription diabetes test device” means a glucose meter or test strip for use in the treatment of prediabetic or diabetic individuals that may be sold without a prescription and that is labeled for use by the consumer in accordance with the requirements of the laws and rules of this state and the federal government.
Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
“Furnish” means to supply by any means, by sale or otherwise.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 695, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2005.
“Good standing” means a license issued by the board that is unrestricted by disciplinary action taken pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 308, Sec. 42. (SB 819) Effective January 1, 2010.
facility” or “facility,” as used in Section 4065, means a health facility licensed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 1250) of Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code or a facility that is owned or operated by a health care service plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code or by an organization under common ownership or control with the health care service plan.
Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 653, Sec. 21. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2011.
“Licensed hospital” means an institution, place, building, or agency that maintains and operates organized facilities for one or more persons for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illnesses to which persons may be admitted for overnight stay, and includes any institution classified under regulations issued by the State Department of Public Health as a general or specialized hospital, as a maternity hospital, or as a tuberculosis hospital, but does not include a sanitarium, rest home, a nursing or convalescent home, a maternity home, or an institution for treating alcoholics.
Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 623, Sec. 1. (SB 351) Effective January 1, 2018.
in another physical plant shall provide pharmaceutical services only to registered hospital patients who are on the premises of the same physical plant in which the pharmacy is located, except as provided in Article 7.6 (commencing with Section 4128). The pharmacy services provided shall be directly related to the services or treatment plan administered in the physical plant. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to restrict or expand the services that a hospital pharmacy may provide.
subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.
Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 695, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 2005.
“Intern pharmacist” means a person issued a license pursuant to Section 4208.
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 23. Effective January 1, 1998.
“Laboratory” means a research, teaching, or testing laboratory not engaged in the dispensing or furnishing of drugs or devices but using dangerous drugs or dangerous devices for scientific or teaching purposes. Every laboratory shall maintain an established place of business and keep purchase records. Every laboratory shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the board.
Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
“License” means and includes any license, permit, registration, certificate, or exemption issued by the board and includes the process of applying for and renewing the same.
Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 492, Sec. 1. (SB 600) Effective January 1, 2015.
to receipt of the prescription.
agent for the manufacturer, contract manufacturer, or private label distributor, whether the establishment is a member of the manufacturer’s affiliated group (regardless of whether the member takes title to the drug) or is a contract distributor site.
Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 15. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.
“Outsourcing facility” means a facility that meets all of the following:
Section 4129).
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 647, Sec. 1. (SB 443) Effective January 1, 2018.
An “emergency medical services automated drug delivery system” or “EMSADDS” means an automated drug delivery system that stores and distributes drugs for the sole purpose of restocking a secured emergency pharmaceutical supplies container that is used by an emergency medical services agency to provide emergency medical services.
Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 16. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.
“Person” includes, but is not limited to, firm, association, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, state governmental agency, trust, or political subdivision.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 6. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
“Pharmacist” means a natural person to whom a license has been issued by the board, under Section 4200, except as specifically provided otherwise in this chapter. The holder of an unexpired and active pharmacist license issued by the board is entitled to practice pharmacy as defined by this chapter, within or outside of a licensed pharmacy.
Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 308, Sec. 43. (SB 819) Effective January 1, 2010.
“Pharmacist-in-charge” means a pharmacist proposed by a pharmacy and approved by the board as the supervisor or manager responsible for ensuring the pharmacy’s compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 7. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
supplies, operating room supplies, or emergency room supplies of dangerous drugs or dangerous devices are stored or possessed solely for treatment of patients registered for treatment in the facility or for treatment of patients receiving emergency care in the facility.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 8. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 9. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.
“Physicians,” “dentists,” “optometrists,” “pharmacists,” “doctors of podiatric medicine,” “veterinarians,” “veterinary surgeons,” “registered nurses,” “naturopathic doctors,” and “physician assistants” are persons authorized by a currently valid and unrevoked license to practice their respective professions in this state. “Physician” means and includes any person holding a valid and unrevoked physician’s and surgeon’s certificate or certificate to practice medicine and surgery, issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and includes an unlicensed person lawfully practicing medicine pursuant to Section 2065, when acting within the scope of that section.
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 9. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
name, address, and telephone number of the prescriber, the
prescriber’s license classification, and the prescriber’s federal registry number, if a controlled substance is prescribed.
practicing pursuant to Section 2837.103 or 2837.104, or naturopathic doctor pursuant to Section 3640.7 or, if a drug order is issued pursuant to Section 2746.51, 2836.1, 3502.1, or 3460.5, by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or naturopathic doctor licensed in this state, or pursuant to Section 4052, 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6 by a pharmacist licensed in this state.
treated as a prescription by the dispensing pharmacist as long as any additional information required by subdivision (a) is readily retrievable in the pharmacy. In the event of a conflict between this subdivision and Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code shall prevail.
Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 598, Sec. 3. (SB 752) Effective January 1, 2018.
“Reverse distributor” means every person who acts as an agent for pharmacies, drug wholesalers, third-party logistics providers, manufacturers, and other entities by receiving, inventorying, warehousing, and managing the disposition of outdated or nonsaleable dangerous drugs or dangerous devices.
Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 196, Sec. 10. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2026.
“Self-assessment process” means the process of self-evaluation of a facility’s compliance with state and federal laws as a means to promote compliance through self-examination and education. The self-assessment process shall be performed on a form approved by the board in consultation with stakeholders and posted on its internet website.
Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
“Veterinary food-animal drug retailer” is an area, place, or premises, other than a pharmacy, that holds a valid license from the Board of Pharmacy of the State of California as a wholesaler and, in and from which veterinary drugs for food-producing animals are dispensed pursuant to a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. “Veterinary food-animal retailer” includes, but is not limited to, any area, place, or premises described in a permit issued by the board wherein veterinary food-animal drugs, as defined in Section 4042, are stored, possessed, or repackaged, and from which veterinary drugs are furnished, sold, or dispensed at retail pursuant to a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.
Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.
“Veterinary food-animal drugs” as used in this chapter shall include the following:
Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 507, Sec. 4. (AB 2605) Effective January 1, 2015.
“Wholesaler” means and includes a person who acts as a wholesale merchant, broker, jobber, customs broker, reverse distributor, agent, or a nonresident wholesaler, who sells for resale, or negotiates for distribution, or takes possession of, any drug or device included in Section 4022. Unless otherwise authorized by law, a wholesaler may not store, warehouse, or authorize the storage or warehousing of drugs with any person or at any location not licensed by the board.
Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 713, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2009.
“Repackager” means a person or entity that is registered with the federal Food and Drug Administration as a repackager and operates an establishment that packages finished drugs from bulk or that repackages dangerous drugs into different containers, excluding shipping containers.
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 548, Sec. 2. (AB 401) Effective January 1, 2018.
technology.
Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 507, Sec. 5. (AB 2605) Effective January 1, 2015.
“Reverse third-party logistics provider” means an entity that processes or manages the disposition of an outdated or nonsaleable dangerous drug or dangerous device on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesaler, or dispenser of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, but does not take ownership of the dangerous drug or dangerous device nor have the responsibility to direct its sale or disposition. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, every provision of this chapter that applies to a third-party logistics provider shall also apply to a reverse third-party logistics provider.
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 548, Sec. 3. (AB 401) Effective January 1, 2018.
Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 548, Sec. 4. (AB 401) Effective January 1, 2018.
“Telepharmacy” means a system that is used by a supervising pharmacy for the purpose of monitoring the dispensing of prescription drugs by a remote dispensing site pharmacy and provides for related drug regimen review and patient counseling by an electronic method, including, but not limited to, the use of audio, visual, still image capture, and store and forward technology.
Repealed and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 507, Sec. 7. (AB 2605) Effective January 1, 2015.
“Third-party logistics provider” means an entity that provides or coordinates warehousing or other logistics services for a dangerous drug or dangerous device in intrastate or interstate commerce on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesaler, or dispenser of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, but does not take ownership of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, nor have responsibility to direct its sale or disposition.
Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 10, Sec. 1. (AB 467) Effective April 9, 2014.
“Surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary” means a firm, association, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, state governmental agency, or political subdivision that performs the functions specified in Section 4169.5 for the purpose of a program established pursuant to Division 116 (commencing with Section 150200) of the Health and Safety Code.