Highly skilled pharmacists in Maryland frequently face disciplinary actions that threaten both their professional livelihood and their capacity to serve the community. Such sanctions may stem from misunderstandings, baseless allegations of unprofessional conduct, or honest mistakes. Without leveraging all available resources to challenge these sanctions, pharmacists face the risk of license suspension or revocation, along with other consequences.
The Lento Law Firm understands the rigorous demands of the pharmacy field. We're dedicated to defending medical professionals like you, and we are fully aware that licensing boards might not always grasp the nuances of your situation or case details.
Our Professional License Defense Team is ready to support you in protecting your pharmacist license. We can engage in negotiations with licensing entities to secure the most favorable resolution. Call us at 888-535-3686 or through our contact form to schedule a consultation.
The Maryland Board of Pharmacy
In Maryland, the Board of Pharmacy handles licensing and registration for all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, as well as issuing permits to pharmacies and distributors. The board is part of the Maryland Department of Public Health and has the authority to enforce pharmacy standards and resolve complaints from the public.
Anyone can submit a formal complaint to the board concerning any pharmacist in the state by simply downloading and filling out a form. They can also search for the status of your license using the Board of Pharmacy's license verification system. Even if all they have is your last name and your city, they can do a search and find your license in the board's online records. The board also has a list of past disciplinary actions against pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies on its website. These documents include the final order against your license, stating what the disciplinary action (or resolution) was and the reason for it.
Disciplinary Actions the Maryland Board of Pharmacy Can Take
If a pharmacist violates any of the board's rules, they may be subject to disciplinary actions on their license. These actions include:
- License denial
- Reprimand
- Probation
- License suspension
- License revocation
- Imposing a civil penalty of up to $10,000
Maryland law also allows contested cases with licensing boards to be resolved by other means, including:
- Stipulation
- Settlement
- Consent order
- Default
- Withdrawal
- Summary disposition
- Dismissal
At the Lento Law Firm, our attorneys can evaluate your case and give you a realistic idea of what sanction or resolution you can hope for. Knowing what each of these disciplinary actions means in practice—how it affects your job as a pharmacist and your ability to serve the public—isn't always clear. Our Professional License Defense Team can demystify the legal jargon for you and help you understand what's really at stake in your situation. We can also help you work toward the best possible outcome.
Why Simply Telling Your Side of the Story Might Not Be Enough
In our defense of pharmacists, we've often seen cases where individuals accused of wrongdoing were completely without fault. Some pharmacists have assumed that simply telling the truth—that their conduct did not justify disciplinary action—would be an adequate defense. Fortunately, these individuals wisely chose to work with our attorneys rather than assuming their regulatory boards would handle their cases justly.
The truth is the facts alone don't always determine the outcome in disciplinary proceedings involving licensed professionals. Pharmacy boards are prone to mistakes and may issue decisions that are unfair or don't accurately reflect the circumstances due to:
- Incomplete investigations that overlook vital facts, testimonies, and evidence that could influence the outcome.
- Biases toward the complainant or against the accused.
- Overlooking critical evidence or testimonies, particularly those that could exonerate the accused.
- Failing to make a fair decision after considering all evidence.
Pharmacy boards have disciplined pharmacists who were either falsely accused or deserved more lenient sanctions. It's crucial not to assume the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. Engaging a lawyer from our team ensures that all relevant facts and evidence are presented and all possibilities for a positive outcome are pursued.
Grounds for Sanctions Against Pharmacists in Maryland
The Maryland Board of Pharmacy can deny, revoke, or suspend a license, place a licensee on probation, or reprimand a licensee on the following grounds:
- Fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain a license
- Fraudulently using a license
- Aiding an unauthorized individual to practice pharmacy
- Delegating pharmacy services to an unauthorized individual
- Providing professional services while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances
- Willfully filing a false report
- Providing prescription forms with the name, address, or means of identification of a pharmacist or pharmacy
- Agreeing to dispense a secret formula prescription
- Associating with a pharmacy that is owned wholly or substantially by an authorized prescriber
- Refilling a prescription without the prescriber's authorization
- Violating labeling requirements for drugs
Claiming to practice pharmacy in a superior manner - Deceiving or defrauding the public
- Being professional, physically, or mentally incompetent
- Convicted of or pleading guilty to a crime of moral turpitude
- Being disciplined by a licensing authority in another state
- Providing confidential patient information without getting the patient's consent
- Failing to cooperate with Board of Pharmacy investigations
- Delegating pharmacy acts to technicians, students, or trainees that are outside the scope of their education
- Failing to appropriately supervise a registered pharmacy intern
You can see that the rules for pharmacists in Maryland are very strict. You are held to extremely high standards and may face serious penalties against your license for something that, at the time, seemed like a small understanding. Our Professional License Defense attorneys can help you not only understand the charges against you but fight to defend your license.
The Adjudication Process for Pharmacists Accused of Wrongdoing
Before the board can take any major disciplinary action against you, you are entitled to a hearing and adjudicatory procedure. This process typically includes an investigation, a hearing, and an appeal.
Investigation
The board can gather information about a complaint against a pharmacist during an investigation. It can send out subpoenas for documents, records, books, or any other information it deems necessary for examining the complaint. Failing to comply with a subpoena sent by the board can result in a contempt of court charge. Once the board finishes gathering information, it will schedule a hearing.
Hearing
The Board of Pharmacy must send you notice of the hearing at least 20 days in advance. At the hearing, you are allowed to show evidence and have witnesses testify on your behalf. You're also allowed to have counsel represent you. It is essential that you show up for your hearing before the board. If you don't, the hearing will go on as planned without you, and the board has the authority to make a decision in your absence (and they most likely won't look favorably on you not showing up).
Appeal
Once the hearing ends, the board will make a final decision. If you want to appeal this decision, you must petition for judicial review. You must file your petition in the circuit court of the county where you reside or work. By filing for judicial review, however, you don't automatically prevent the board's final order from taking effect. The board can decide to stay the final decision, but it's not obligated to.
If you've never gone through an adjudicatory procedure with a licensing board before, you may feel overwhelmed by all the rules and regulations. There are also many small details of the investigation, hearing, and appeals process that can be easily overlooked.
Our Professional License Defense Attorneys have helped pharmacists and other medical professionals in Maryland go through this procedure before, so we know what to expect and how to advise you properly. We can explain every action the board takes and ensure you understand what's happening at each step in the process.
Our Attorneys Have the Resources You Need
Since you're facing professional sanctions and not accused of a crime, you might wonder if you even need a lawyer. However, these sanctions could have a profound impact on your career and even your personal life. You should hire the Lento Law Firm Team for several crucial reasons:
- Stringent sanctioning criteria for pharmacists: You'll have to dispute claims against you in a system that may presume guilt rather than innocence. Creating an effective defense is critical, and our team is prepared to develop this strategy for you.
- The resources of the Maryland Board of Pharmacy: Challenging a complaint means confronting the extensive resources of a state agency. You deserve a law firm equally equipped to handle your case.
- Venturing into unknown legal territory: The disciplinary process is usually uncharted territory for the pharmacists we represent. Our seasoned team will help you navigate it step-by-step.
- A track record of defending pharmacists: Our successful defense of pharmacists facing sanctions should give you confidence. We are dedicated to resolving your case favorably.
As you deal with the threat of a lost or revoked license, our team will take charge of your defense. You'll be able to concentrate on your personal and professional responsibilities without added worry.
The Services You Can Expect from the Lento Law Firm
The primary mission of the Lento Law Firm Team is to clear your name and avoid sanctions. If you do get sanctioned, we'll focus on reducing their severity as much as possible. Our firm uses the following strategies to accomplish these objectives:
- Identifying the most favorable resolution for your case: Regardless of whether you're facing false accusations or if you're dealing with repercussions from a brief lapse in judgment or emotional reaction during a difficult time, we'll customize our strategy based on these details to seek the best possible outcome for your situation.
- Collecting relevant evidence and testimonies: We'll conduct an in-depth investigation of your case, relying on direct evidence and testimonies over hearsay. Ensuring the legitimacy of evidence and accounts is vital, and we're comprehensive in our approach.
- Exploring settlement options outside traditional legal pathways: Our team will negotiate with Offices of General Counsel (OGCs) that have the power to resolve your case, aiming for swift and favorable solutions through direct negotiations.
- Navigating the adjudication process with you: If formal adjudication becomes necessary, we're fully prepared to support you during meetings, represent you in hearings, and efficiently handle any appeals that arise.
- Considering all legal options for your defense: We're ready to pursue every legal avenue to safeguard your pharmacist's license, including going beyond typical appeals, and will recommend the most appropriate strategy as your situation unfolds.
With our extensive experience working with professional licensing boards and their attorneys across the country, our firm is committed to achieving the ideal outcome for your case, considering your specific circumstances.
Our Professional License Defense Attorneys Assist Pharmacists All Over Maryland
We can assist pharmacists with license defense issues no matter where they're living and working in Maryland. We help pharmacists in the following cities
- Baltimore
- Germantown
- Silver Spring
- Ellicott City
- Glen Burnie
- Frederick
- Gaithersburg
- Rockville
- Bethesda
- Dundalk
- Towson
Even if you don't see your city listed here, our team can still help you with your Maryland pharmacist's license.
Contact the Lento Law Firm Today
Protecting your license should be a top concern, and our team is ready to start on your case right away. We intend to use every opportunity you provide us before any interviews, hearings, appeals, or legal actions begin.
Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 for a discussion about our strategy to protect your pharmacy license in Maryland. You can also provide the details of your case through our online form, and we will get back to you.
