
Facing an investigation by the Board of Pharmacy or state is a very serious matter. However, if handled properly and timely, you may be able to avoid formal action against your pharmacist license.
The investigation process usually starts when a complaint is received by the Board of Pharmacy, FDOH or LARA. Complaints against a pharmacist, pharmacy or pharmacy technician can be made by anyone; however, they are generally made by customers, colleagues, employers, and even disgruntled friends and family. Virtually anyone can file a complaint.
Complaints against pharmacists, pharmacies and pharmacy technicians are assigned to state investigators, who conduct a preliminary investigation before formal action is taken against the pharmacy licensee.
Pharmacists typically become aware that a complaint has been made against them when they receive a call or letter from the investigator requesting a meeting.
We strongly advise that you speak with our pharmacist license defense attorneys before speaking with the investigator. All too often, pharmacists speak with investigators in hopes of “clearing up” the situation. Sadly, those statements are later used against them. The primary goal of the BOP, DOH, and LARA is to protect the public. Chapman Law Group’s primary goal is to protect the rights, licenses and careers of health professionals.
If you are aware of a Board of Pharmacy investigation or other state investigation into your conduct, please contact our pharmacist license defense attorneys. There is often a small window of time to respond to the investigator’s request for a meeting before the investigator seeks the authority to file a formal complaint against your pharmacist license.
Our attorneys frequently work with the Board of Pharmacy and state investigators, and we are experienced in resolving investigations. We can present your case to the investigator in the best possible light and work with him or her to resolve the issues before formal action is taken. Even if there is no validity to the complaint, we can speak with the investigator on your behalf to demonstrate that the allegations lack truth or support and that your actions were within the required standard.
We recognize that the cost of an attorney is unforeseen and deters some pharmacists from retaining counsel to assist in the investigation process. However, hiring a pharmacist license defense attorney who can resolve the issue at the investigation stage will be significantly less expensive than defending a formal complaint.
Additionally, resolution of the matter at the investigation stage will likely result in no disciplinary action being reported against the licensee, whereas formal actions are reported, even if later successfully resolved.