The Board Of Pharmacy
- What is the Texas State Board of Pharmacy?
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) is an independent state health regulatory agency established by the Texas Legislature in 1907 to regulate the practice of pharmacy and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Texas. The TSBP regulates pharmacists, pharmacies, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technician trainees and the legal distribution of prescription drugs through pharmacies in the state of Texas.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities, the TSBP licenses pharmacists and pharmacies, registers pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees, inspects pharmacies, investigates complaints, and disciplines violators of pharmacy laws.
- What is the main purpose of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy?
The purpose of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy is to promote, preserve, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Texas by regulating the practice of pharmacy in the public interest.
- How does the Agency accomplish its purpose?
The Agency accomplishes its purpose by ensuring that:
- quality skill levels for those entering the practice of pharmacy are maintained;
- quality standards of professional practice are followed;
- distribution of prescription drugs is controlled;
- misuse and diversion of prescription drugs from pharmacies is prevented; and
- cooperation with other state and federal agencies is achieved.
- How is the Board of Pharmacy organized?
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The Texas State Board of Pharmacy develops and sets policy through eleven Board members appointed by the Governor. Three of the members must be non-pharmacist consumer members, and seven must be pharmacists, and one must be a pharmacy technician. The Board employs an Executive Director to manage and carry out policies and rules of the Agency.
The Agency is totally self-funded and receives no tax monies from the General Revenue Fund of the State of Texas. Funds necessary for operation are generated primarily through licensing fees.
- Under what laws and rules does the Agency operate?
The Agency operates under the provisions of various Texas laws, such as the Texas Pharmacy Act, Texas Dangerous Drug Act, Texas Administrative Procedures Act, Open Records Act, Open Meetings Act, and Sunset Act. The agency's financial records are audited annually by the State Auditor. Also, the Legislature oversees the income and expenses through the biennial budget appropriation process.
- What types of pharmacies does the Agency regulate?
The Board of Pharmacy licenses all pharmacies operating in Texas except those located in federal facilities. The licensed pharmacies include community pharmacies (retail), institutional pharmacies (hospitals), clinic pharmacies (planned parenthood, etc.), nuclear pharmacies (pharmacies dispensing radiopharmaceuticals), and out-of-state mail-order pharmacies (pharmacies located in another state that fill prescriptions and deliver them to Texas residents).
Learn more about the TSBP, including licensing statistics, member and staff information, mission, and more through our annual reports.
