In the Oklahoma City Metro Area, licensed pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of safe, effective healthcare across a variety of settings—from major medical centers like Oklahoma University Health and Integris to independent pharmacies in the suburbs and surrounding counties and small towns. As part of their licensure with the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy (Board), professionals are expected to adhere to strict standards, not only in dispensing medications but also in maintaining accurate records, complying with federal and state drug laws, and ensuring patient safety.
When a complaint is filed—whether from a patient, employer, or regulatory agency—it can trigger an investigation that places a pharmacist's career, reputation, and livelihood at risk. Allegations can range from relatively minor documentation errors to serious claims involving drug diversion, off-the-job substance abuse, fraud, or practicing beyond the scope of one's education. Regardless of the nature of the accusation, these matters are never trivial and can quickly lead to consequences such as:
- License probation that can lead to loss of official responsibilities or even demotion from a supervisory position
- Fines that place a significant financial burden on licensees
- License suspension or revocation that causes job loss or even the end of a career in the industry
Since the stakes are so high when allegations arise, pharmacists facing disciplinary action should never navigate the grievance process alone. The Lento Law Firm will lead the response to the complaint, negotiate with the Board, and defend a pharmacist's right to practice. The goal of our Professional License Defense Team is not just to protect your license but to preserve your professional identity and career built on years of education, training, and public service. Call us at 888-535-3686 now or fill out our confidential consultation form, and we will contact you.
Pharmacists in the Oklahoma City Metro Area
Pharmacists have an occupational focus to safely dispense medication and controlled substances. However, they work in a wide variety of job settings. For instance, at hospitals and medical centers like the Norman Regional Health System or Cardinal Health, as a staff pharmacist or working with clinical patients at the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and elsewhere. Many of them also find positions at one of the many regional chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart, as well as other local, independent drug stores, such as Superx Pharmacy, Ralph's Family Pharmacy, Red Rock Pharmacy, and many others.
While practitioners in other states must juggle correspondence with multiple regulatory agencies during the disciplinary process, the Board is the sole policymaking and enforcement apparatus for the state's pharmacy industry. When individuals face allegations of misconduct or public complaints, it can be overwhelming to meet with Board investigators who seek to uncover information and substantiate violations. A strong defense begins the moment accusations are made. Punishment—even for something as seemingly minor as mislabeling medication—can cost any pharmacist in the Oklahoma City Metro Area their job.
Prohibited Conduct for Pharmacists
Becoming a licensed pharmacist and pursuing a rewarding career requires strict adherence to the Board's guidelines for various industry aspects, chief of which governs controlled substances and narcotic drugs. In addition to holding a license, Oklahoma City Metro Area pharmacists must register with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control to possess, dispense, or manage such medications.
Moreover, there are prohibitions regarding the types of people to whom they can dispense medication. For instance, Oklahoma-licensed pharmacists may not prescribe, distribute, or administer any medication legally classified as a controlled substance or recognized as an addictive, dangerous drug to a family member or themselves. However, it does not apply to relatives "outside the second degree of consanguinity or affinity," nor does it apply in medical emergencies.
One of the most important aspects of the pharmacy profession is maintaining professional conduct at all times. There are a myriad of grounds for imposing disciplinary sanctions, such as any breach of Board rules. Along with these include but are not limited to the following:
- Indiscriminate or excessive prescribing, dispensing, or administering of controlled substances or narcotic drugs
- Making false or misleading statements regarding the skill, efficacy, or value of the medicine, treatment, or remedy prescribed
- Willfully or negligently violating patient confidentiality
- Obtaining any fee by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or through abusive billing practices
- Gross or repeated negligence in the pharmacy practice
- Improper management of medical records or failure to transfer them in a timely fashion
- Practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence
Yet, the Board's rules for prohibited conduct often go further than protocols for medication dispersal and patient treatment. For instance, the Board can discipline licensees for habitual or excessive use of alcohol or drugs when it affects their practice, sexual abuse or misconduct outside the profession, and convictions of felony offenses involving moral turpitude whether or not related to the pharmacy practice. Additionally, licensees face punishment if they are disciplined by another licensing jurisdiction.
It's obvious to most that violating the Board's professional standards can land one in trouble. Yet, what some may not realize is that they have a duty to report violations by coworkers, supervisors, staff, and other licensed pharmacists.
Complaint Investigations
Generally, the disciplinary process begins with a complaint. Anyone can file a complaint against licensed pharmacists, whether it's hospital staff, coworkers in a local pharmacy, patients, or even community members, when personal conduct threatens professional standing.
The Board will send licensees a notification in the mail about the pending grievance process and will likely include procedures such as scheduling a meeting with an inspector for an interview. Each county in the Oklahoma City Metro Area has a designated Board inspector who conducts interviews, collects evidence, and compiles a report for the full Board to review.
Meetings with inspectors can make licensees uncomfortable, especially when they are not familiar with the pressure of responding to questions. Inspectors will likely ask some of the following:
- What were the official, Board-approved protocols that you used when dispensing medication to patients or clients?
- Have there been similar incidents or alleged misconduct prior to the allegations being investigated?
- What have you done to address the violations or prevent reoccurrence?
Many may feel they will make a mistake in their response to the inspector and end up implicating themselves in the subject of the complaint. Despite the potential for anxiety when responding to allegations, when you're working with the Lento Law Firm, it can unearth the information needed to absolve you of punishment. We help you understand what kinds of questions to expect and will coach you on how to fully consider the question and focus your answer on pertinent information. Furthermore, one of our experienced attorneys can also be with you during the inspector's interview to help make sure inquiries are clear and fair.
Informal Discipline and Requesting a Formal Hearing
Following the investigation, the Board reviews the inspector's report and will decide whether to dismiss the allegations, resort to informal discipline, or move forward with a formal hearing. When considering informal discipline, the Board will propose a Settlement Agreement with a licensee, which involves a pharmacist admitting responsibility and accepting the proposed sanctions.
Some may think that informal discipline is less severe, but that is a common misconception. This means that pharmacists are disciplined without the chance to defend themselves at a formal hearing. Only during a formal hearing can licensees access all due process rights afforded to them.
How Should You Handle a Formal Hearing?
It's critical to request a hearing—within 10 days of the Board's notice—to ensure you have every opportunity for defense. By retaining the Lento Law Firm, building your case is in the hands of a professional.
Hearings are required when the potential sanctions for alleged misconduct or a complaint could result in suspension or expulsion. The Board explicitly states that any licensee who fails to appear as directed will waive their right to present a defense. After having reviewed the evidence, the Board can institute disciplinary action—up to and including license revocation—if it substantiates the charges. The Board can also tack on additional penalties for failure to comply with official orders.
One of the benefits of working with our Professional License Defense Team is that we understand how state authorities must substantiate charges. For instance, Oklahoma's administrative rules assert that there is a high bar for the standard of proof. All hearings for Oklahoma City Metro Area pharmacists used the "clear and convincing evidence" standard, higher than the more commonly used "preponderance of the evidence" standard. Attorneys with the Lento Law Firm will create a strategic defense plan to challenge the state's evidence if it does not meet the required standard. With our help, when the hearing day arrives, you'll be confident, punctual, and composed when meeting with the Board.
Sanctions for Pharmacists
Within 10 days of the hearing, the Board will mail its Final Order to the licensee, which includes findings related to the charges and conclusions of law supporting its decision. Sometimes, pharmacists may not be satisfied with the Board's determination. In such a case, they may petition for a rehearing. The process is more similar to judicial review than an outright appeal, meaning the matter is only reviewed for procedural errors and not a re-litigation of the case. Therefore, unless mistakes are present, the licensed pharmacist will have sanctions levied upon them.
The Board considers aggravating and mitigating factors when managing violations but will adhere to a set of guidelines used for most licensed professionals. Among the possible sanctions for pharmacists include the following:
- Reprimand: an official letter of condemnation from the Board that remains a part of the licensee's official record.
- Fines: monetary penalties that may not exceed $3,000 per violation.
- License Probation: restrictions on an individual's license to practice, which likely include required continuing education, remedial courses, and other stipulations to prevent future recurrence.
- License Suspension: practice prohibition for a set period of time until they meet certain requirements and apply for reinstatement.
- License Revocation: a complete ban on practicing in the State of Oklahoma, with or without the opportunity to reapply for reinstatement at a later date.
Whenever licensed pharmacists receive adverse action, it will remain on their record connected with state pharmacy practice, but also other states and national databases with shared information. Sanctions follow pharmacists outside the Oklahoma Metro Area into any jurisdiction they are licensed in or trying to become licensed in. Sanctions such as suspension or expulsion make it nearly impossible to secure credentials to practice elsewhere until the individual is eligible for reinstatement.
With the risk of career-ending discipline, our goal is to resolve allegations and charges before the Board levies sanctions. The time to seek help from the Lento Law Firm isn't after the Board levies discipline but as soon as allegations arise.
Oklahoma City Metro Area Pharmacist License Defense
If you're working as a pharmacist in one of the larger cities in the Oklahoma City Metro Area or anywhere throughout Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, or Oklahoma counties, you need professional defense. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has years of experience assisting pharmacists and other medical professionals against complaints and misconduct allegations.
We are a valuable resource for pharmacists to protect the investment they've made in a long, lucrative, rewarding career. Our team has a deep understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations that apply to the state's grievance process for pharmacists and know how to proceed when the Board threatens discipline. Defending your ability to practice doesn't have to be an arduous task. You can capitalize on the knowledge and dedication the Lento Law Firm has when challenging proposed adverse actions from regulatory agencies.
If you're on staff at a sprawling health center in Oklahoma City, at a standalone pharmacy in Shawnee, Moore, Norman, Edmond, or anywhere throughout the metro area licensed to dispense medication, contact our team to understand what you will encounter before the disciplinary process begins. Call the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team now at 888-535-3686 or visit our confidential online consultation form, and we will reach out to you.
