The California State Board of Pharmacy on Nov. 5 authorized its executive officer to set a public hearing on a petition asking the board to amend the regulation that governs the designation and employment of a pharmacist-in-charge.

Board President Sung Oh told members the petition, received Oct. 7, asked the agency to adopt or amend the first sentence of the pharmacist-in-charge provision and that, under Government Code section 11340.6, the agency must respond within 30 days by either denying the petition or scheduling a hearing. Regulation counsel Jennifer Robbins was available to answer members’ questions during the discussion.

Member Satinder Sandu moved to authorize the executive officer to set the matter for hearing; Ricardo Sanchez seconded the motion. On roll-call, all voting members present recorded “yes” and the motion passed. The board and staff told members the hearing would be conducted in advance of the board’s January meeting; staff indicated January 26–27, 2026 as the proposed hearing dates to solicit public comment and any proposed regulatory language for the board’s later consideration.

The board’s action is procedural: it schedules a hearing to receive public input and draft language but does not itself change the regulation. Jennifer Robbins and staff said comments received at the hearing will be provided to the board for consideration at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will post hearing logistics and a formal notice of proposed action; the board will consider any submitted language and public comment at a subsequent meeting following the hearing.