Rule 480-7-.04 - Researcher's Permit(1) Applications for registration must be filed with the Office of the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy ("Board") with the required fees.(2) Registration of a Researcher will be considered on the basis of the application filed and a report from the director of the GDNA certifying the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications for a permit.(3) Application fees shall NOT be refundable.(4) No license issued under this Rule shall be transferred or assigned by a licensee. However, the Board may reassign a license to a licensee or successor entity by request upon application to the Board.(5) Prior to any change in name, ownership, mode of operation or location of a pharmacy, licensees shall apply for approval of such change by submitting a Board-approved application to the Board and paying a fee. To comply with the requirements of this Rule, applications must be made and approved prior to the change.(a) A change of ownership is deemed to have occurred upon the closure of any transaction which results in a change to any of the ownership information submitted to the Board as part of the licensee's initial application for licensure or renewal of licensure.(6) Licensees shall notify the Board in writing of the occurrence of any change to any of the information submitted to the Board as part of the licensee's initial application for licensure or application for renewal of licensure. This shall not apply to any event the occurrence of which these rules require immediate notification to the Board, in which event such immediate notification shall be made.(7) Permits are renewable every two (2) years and expire on June 30th of the even-numbered years. Permits may be renewed upon the payment of the required renewal fee and the filing of the renewal application form. If the application is not made and the fee not paid before September 1st of the even-numbered year, the permit shall lapse and shall not be renewable except by application for a new permit.(8) Minimum Qualifications: (a) The Board will consider the following factors in determining eligibility for persons or entities applying for permits to engage in research.1. Any convictions of the applicant under any Federal, State, or local laws related to dangerous drugs or controlled substances;2. Any felony convictions of the applicant under any Federal, State, or local laws;3. The applicant's past experience in research related to dangerous drugs including controlled substances;4. The furnishing by the applicant of false or fraudulent material in any application made in connection with drug research;5. Suspension or revocation by Federal, State or local government of any permit currently or previously held by the applicant for drug research;6. Compliance with the requirements under previously granted permits or licenses, if any;7. Compliance with requirements to maintain and/or make available to the State licensing or permitting authority or to Federal, State or local law enforcement officials those records required to be maintained by researchers;8. Any other factors or qualifications such as age, education, training, etc. the Board considers relevant to be inconsistent with the public health and safety; and9. Having a Peace Officer Certification suspended or revoked by the Georgia Peace Officers Standard and Training (POST) or other professional licensing authority.(b) The Board reserves the right to deny a permit to any applicant if it determines that the granting of such a permit would not be in the public interest.(9) Storage and Security: (a) All drugs including dangerous drugs and controlled substances shall be stored at appropriate temperatures and under appropriate conditions in accordance with labeled requirements or those published in the current edition of an official compendium, such as the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Compendiums;(b) All facilities used for storage of drugs including dangerous drugs and controlled substances shall be of suitable size and construction to facilitate cleaning, maintenance and proper operations; and shall provide security from unauthorized entry as approved by the Board or GDNA.1. All such facilities will be located in an appropriately zoned district, such as a college, school, university, law enforcement office, or commercial area. No permit will be issued to any researcher whose facility is located in a residential area, dwelling, or location. The Board may choose to grant an exception to this rule upon receipt of a written request from such applicant stating the reason for such an exemption.(10) Record Keeping and Accountability: (a) Researchers shall establish and maintain records of all transactions regarding receipt, distribution or other disposition of dangerous drugs or controlled substances.(b) All records required by these regulations shall be retained for a minimum period of two (2) years following any disposition of any drugs received.(c) Such records shall be kept at the storage site or shall be immediately retrievable by computers or other electronic means for authorized inspection during the retention period.(11) Sanctions and Penalties: (a) The Board under these regulations shall have the power to suspend or revoke any permit issued or to reprimand or to fine, not to exceed $500 per violation, the holder of such permit when such holder shall have:1. Become unfit or incompetent;2. Been convicted of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude;3. Violated any Pharmacy laws or rules or regulations promulgated by the Board, or violated any other state, federal, or local laws and rules related to drugs.4. The Board may refuse to grant a permit or renewal to any person, firm, corporation, agency, department or other entity for any of the grounds set forth in O.C.G.A. Section 26-4-49 and/or 26-4-60 of the Georgia Pharmacy Practice Act.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 480-7-.04
O.C.G.A. §§ 26-4-27, 26-4-28, 26-4-49, 26-4-60, 26-4-120.2.
Original Rule entitled "Researcher's Permit" adopted. F. Jan. 15, 1997; eff. Feb. 4, 1997.Amended: F. Oct 27, 1998; eff. November 16, 1998.Amended: F. Aug. 6, 2001; eff. Aug. 26, 2001.Amended: F. Dec. 18, 2014; eff. Jan. 7, 2015.Amended: F. July 24, 2024; eff. Aug. 13, 2024.