OPLC staff told the Joint Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee that many findings from the board of pharmacy audit remain in progress as the office works through a multi-year rulemaking and technology update.

Deidre, executive director at OPLC, said pharmacy inspection findings are largely in a “partially resolved” state while the board consolidates and modernizes more than 20 chapters of rules into a smaller, updated set. She said the board has a work group that meets frequently and that OPLC is waiting to finalize compliance manuals and inspection forms until rule changes and new licensing software are closer to adoption.

Staff described the inspection workforce and scope: three unclassified inspection positions (one licensed pharmacy technician and two licensed pharmacists) who also serve as agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration for certain duties. Deidre said the office inspects roughly “250 plus” in-state pharmacies and noted that about 50 Rite Aid closures reduced the total from an earlier, higher number.

OPLC said it is building a more advanced licensing system and has created a compliance bureau intended to shift the office toward routine, proactive inspections and risk-based scheduling rather than inspections driven only by complaints. Deidre said the board will need time after rule adoption to update forms, train inspectors and align scheduling to new standards.

Timing: OPLC gave a target completion date of March 2027 for substantive resolution of the pharmacy inspection recommendations, but emphasized that many pieces depend on the completion of rulemaking and subsequent technology changes.

A committee member asked whether inspections are currently scheduled or complaint-driven; Deidre said routine inspections occur now but the office lacks the rigid, regular cadence it seeks. The committee indicated it will invite OPLC back to report progress; no formal vote was taken on this item.