Panel hears reinstatement petition from pharmacist Asmik Arapetyan after sale of foreign‑labeled drugs

The disciplinary petition committee considered a reinstatement petition from pharmacist Asmik (Asnik) Arapetyan, whose license was revoked after board inspections revealed foreign‑labeled medications (soldover‑the‑counter in Russia/Armenia) on pharmacy shelves and in storage.

Deputy Attorney General Christina Jarvis recounted repeated inspections (Sept.–Oct. 2019 and follow‑ups) that found prescription‑only and misbranded foreign drugs labeled in Russian, inadequate acquisition records, and a failure to complete the required self‑assessment for many years. The administrative law judge who previously heard the case found the petitioner not credible at hearing and sustained causes for discipline including furnishing dangerous drugs without a prescription and possession of misbranded drugs.

At the Dec. 3 hearing, Arapetyan testified she sold the products because patients from immigrant communities requested them and she erroneously believed they were legal OTC in her country of origin; she said she now recognizes the harm and has completed extensive continuing education (transcripts showing hundreds of hours), ethics training, community presentations, volunteer work and educational materials for pharmacists. She told the committee she now understands the legal differences and would refuse to sell such products in the U.S.

Board members pressed her on why she did not remove the products after inspector warnings and asked how she would ensure compliance in future practice; Arapetyan acknowledged those failures and said she would follow board guidance and probation monitoring if reinstated. The ALJ submitted the matter; the board will deliberate in closed session and notify parties later.