Alabama § 34-23-3 - State Drug Investigators.

§ 34-23-3. State Drug Investigators.

(a) Each state drug investigator employed by the board must furnish satisfactory proof to the board that the investigator is an individual of good moral character and that in the judgment of the members of the board, he or she has sufficient knowledge of the laws pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and law enforcement to enable him or her to carry out the duties as an investigator consistent with this chapter. A state drug investigator employed by the board must serve an apprenticeship of a minimum of six months working with and under the supervision of the chief drug investigator or other investigator designated by the board. An investigator, before entering upon his or her duties, shall post with the board a bond in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties.

(b) A state drug investigator shall:

(1) Inspect the medicines and drugs or drug products that are manufactured, packaged, packed, made, sold, offered for sale, exposed for sale, or kept for sale in this state;

(2) Subject to subsection (c), enter and inspect during business hours any pharmacy or any other place in this state where medicines or drugs or drug products or proprietary medicines are manufactured, packaged, packed, made, sold, offered for sale, or kept for sale, whether or not licensed by the board; and

(3) Inspect prescription files, prescription records, poison registers, exempt narcotic registers, and any other records pertaining to the filling and filing of prescriptions.

(c) A state drug investigator shall be subject to the same restrictions as other law enforcement officers with regard to search and seizure.

(d) A state drug investigator shall report to the board all violations of law relating to pharmacies and all rules of the board. As directed by the board, a state drug investigator shall issue written warnings for violations of such laws or rules or institute criminal proceedings against persons for such violations.

(e) When authorized by the board and where there are specific complaints, a state drug investigator may inspect records, shipping tickets, or any other document pertaining to the transfer of drugs or drug preparations, from or to hospitals, pharmacists, wholesale establishments, manufacturers, or any other place or establishment where the preparations of drugs are kept or stored.

(f) A state drug investigator shall take possession of all revoked licenses and permits or suspended licenses and permits, or both, when such licenses and permits are not surrendered voluntarily to the board by the person whose license or permit has been revoked or suspended.

(g) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize or require a state drug investigator to inspect the offices of physicians who have duly qualified with the State Board of Medical Examiners.