Board moves to remove pharmacist‑to‑intern ratio, will sponsor statutory change; supports policy to expand internship opportunities

The California State Board of Pharmacy on Jan. 7 approved a draft policy statement supporting pharmacy interns in gaining practice experience outside of accredited experiential rotations and voted to pursue statutory amendments to remove the fixed pharmacist‑to‑intern ratio in Business and Professions Code §4,114.

President Sang Oh summarized the committee’s review, noting ACPE updates that increased experiential hour requirements and concerns that a fixed ratio can create barriers to creating internship positions. ‘‘This is determined to be more appropriate as many preceptors are not PICs and therefore would be difficult to operationalize it,’’ Sang Oh said when explaining the committee’s draft statutory approach.

Members voiced support for removal of the ratio while stressing the need to educate licensees about professional judgment and implementation details. Multiple public commenters, including Sean Kim from the California Pharmacists Association and Laurie Wamsley on behalf of Walgreens, supported the change as a way to expand internship opportunities and practical experience for students.

The board approved a motion to sponsor legislation to amend BPC §4,114 consistent with the discussion (remove the ratio and rely on PIC/professional judgment), and also approved the accompanying draft policy statement.

What happens next: Board staff will draft legislative language to amend BPC §4,114 and will post the policy statement in board materials. Members asked staff to consider whether guardrails are needed and to provide outreach and education during the transition.