Chains' ties run deep on pharmacy boards

Even though this article was published in 2008, it points out the potential conflict of interest on the state pharmacy boards.  Most state boards are composed of pharmacists who regulate and determine the punishment of other pharmacists.  A USA TODAY examination done in 2008 showed that employees of major drugstore chains or supermarket pharmacies accounted for nearly one in four of the 295 pharmacists on the panels this year.  This also presents a potential conflict of interest.  Who should serve on state boards of pharmacy?  Pharmacist who are supposedly well versed in the laws relating to pharmacy law?  Citizens who are not pharmacist who have no potential conflict of interest but who may not know as much as a pharmacist about pharmacy law?  Citizens who are sales reps for the pharmacy?  Or a mix of pharmacists, citizens, and sales reps? to read the 2008 USA Today article click here.