Pharmacy Business License

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A pharmacy license issued by the Board is required for all sites where prescription drugs are offered for sale or dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist. The current pharmacy license certificate shall be displayed in a position visible to the public. The Board may issue any of the following types of pharmacy licenses: a general pharmacy license, a hospital pharmacy license, a limited use pharmacy license, or a nonresident pharmacy license. 

Summary

  • Code citations:
  • Nonrefundable Fee
    • $135 Pharmacy license (Initial and annual renewal)
    • $90 CSA-Business registration, if applicable (Initial and biennial renewal)
  • Additional Information:
    • Any pharmacy located in another state must obtain an Iowa nonresident pharmacy license prior to shipping to Iowa residents.
    • For a pharmacy located in Iowa, an inspection will be required prior to activating the license.
    • For a pharmacy located outside of Iowa, the application must include the most recent inspection that has been conducted in the previous two years (while the pharmacy was operational) that addresses all services to be provided in Iowa (e.g., if engaged in compounding, the inspection demonstrates compliance with USP General Chapters 795 and/or 797 as applicable).
      • If the home state regulatory authority does not conduct inspections, the Board will accept inspection reports from the following entities:
      • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Verified Pharmacy Program
      • Gates Healthcare
      • ACHC (for sterile compounding, video required)
      • The Iowa Board of Pharmacy, at the applicant’s expense
    • For a pharmacy located outside of Iowa, the PIC of the pharmacy must be identified as the PIC on the Iowa license.
      • If the PIC does not hold a current/active pharmacist license in Iowa, the PIC must obtain a nonresident pharmacy (NRP) pharmacist in charge (PIC) registration which is renewed annually.

Types of Licenses

There are several types of pharmacy licenses in Iowa, depending on the location and purpose of the pharmacy:

  • General Pharmacy: A traditional retail or community pharmacy.
  • Hospital Pharmacy: A pharmacy located within a hospital.
  • Limited Use Pharmacy: Includes telepharmacies and other pharmacy practice settings that propose such a unique situation as to require waivers to multiple board rules; additional information will be required on the application to justify the license type.
  • Nonresident Pharmacy: A pharmacy located outside Iowa that ships or delivers prescriptions into the state.

Closing a Pharmacy

If your pharmacy is closing or will no longer serve Iowa patients, submit a Pharmacy Closing Notification form. You must also provide at least 30 days’ written notice to patients. This notice can be mailed or emailed. Notify the DEA and cancel any unused DEA Form 222s. Only the pharmacist in charge may access the drugs until they are removed or transferred. Any unused medication disposal systems must be returned to the Board.

Updating Your License

  • Notification of the following changes will be within 30 days of the change, except as provided, on the Board’s Acknowledgement and Attestation Form:
    • Pharmacist in Charge
      • For a change of NRP PIC, the notification will be provided within 10 days of the change
    • Ownership
  • Notification of the following changes will be within the identified time frames via submission of a pharmacy application and fee:
    • For resident pharmacies, at least 30 days prior to the change
    • For nonresident pharmacies, submission within 30 days of the pharmacy’s receipt of an updated license from the home state regulatory authority
    • Name
    • Location, except for a temporary relocation of limited duration due to an exceptional circumstance
    • License type

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