Bill > HB1426

This bill establishes a new permit for "clinical research pharmacies," which are pharmacies exclusively compounding, dispensing, or distributing drugs for scientific research under approved protocols and are not open to the general public. The State Board of Pharmacy, referred to as the "Board," will issue these permits and set standards for their operation. Importantly, the bill allows healthcare providers to have an ownership interest in a clinical research pharmacy under specific conditions, such as the pharmacy operating strictly within its permit requirements, a licensed pharmacist being present during all operating hours and responsible for all pharmacy services, and any healthcare provider with a substantial ownership interest not directing patients to a specific pharmacy or receiving payment for referrals. The bill also clarifies that conducting an investigational or experimental treatment or clinical trial by a corporation or other legal entity is not considered the "practice of medicine" (which generally refers to diagnosing, healing, treating, or performing surgery) if certain conditions related to protocol adherence, licensed medical decision-making, and scope of practice are met. This legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.