Members approving the consent agenda discussed a personnel classification listed as a "registered pharmacist" and sought clarification about the credential and pay range included in the item. Staff and meeting participants contrasted a registered pharmacist credential — which can follow a bachelor’s degree plus state licensure — with a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree.

The matter was part of the consent agenda and did not receive separate debate or a standalone vote; the consent agenda motion passed as a group. During discussion, a staff member explained: “it’s going to and is the register the the bottom end of You can you can have just your BS and and become a registered pharmacist,” describing the registered pharmacist credential as attainable without a PharmD. Another speaker noted that a PharmD is a five-year program at some institutions, saying, “University of Montana is a 5 year PharmD.”

Participants also referenced a pay rate for the position as stated in the consent item; the transcript records a figure read as “$84.00 2 an hour,” which is unclear in punctuation and exact cents. The discussion framed the $84.02-per-hour figure as an example of the posted range rather than a guaranteed starting salary; the meeting record does not specify whether that hourly rate is for starting staff, a maximum, or includes benefits.

No statutory citations, budget amendments or hiring authority changes were cited in the discussion. Because the item was approved on the consent agenda, the classification and associated pay range will take effect per the normal personnel-processing procedures; the transcript does not record additional direction to staff or follow-up reporting requirements tied to this item.

The meeting record does not identify the staff member or commissioner who supplied the explanations by name; those remarks are taken from the meeting transcript and are attributed in this article as “Staff member” and “Commissioner” where the transcript did not provide a full name.