What must a pharmacy do if it plans to close permanently?

When a pharmacy plans to close permanently, it is required to notify the Board of Pharmacy at least 14 days prior to the closure. This notification serves several purposes. It allows the Board to take necessary actions regarding the pharmacy’s licensing status and ensures that there is a proper transition for patients who may need to transfer their prescriptions to another pharmacy. Additionally, providing advance notice helps maintain compliance with state regulations designed to protect public health and safety by ensuring that medication distribution is managed appropriately as a pharmacy ceases operations.

While other options, such as posting a notice in the pharmacy, may be a good practice to inform customers, the formal requirement established by state law is specifically to notify the Board of Pharmacy with the specified lead time. Closing immediately without notice would not satisfy the legal requirements and could lead to penalties or complications during the closure process.