Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that the creation of a pharmacy peer health assistance program for those persons subject to the jurisdiction of the board will serve to safeguard the life, health, property, and public welfare of the people of this state. A pharmacy peer health assistance program will help practitioners experiencing impaired practice due to psychiatric, psychological, or emotional problems; excessive alcohol or drug use; or alcohol or substance use disorders. The general assembly further declares that a pharmacy peer health assistance program will protect the privacy and welfare of those persons who provide services and at the same time assist the board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities to ensure that only qualified persons are allowed to engage in providing those services that are under the jurisdiction of the board. (2) It is the intent of the general assembly that the pharmacy peer health assistance program and its related procedures be utilized by the board in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the use of disciplinary proceedings by the board, which proceedings are by their nature time-consuming and costly to the people of this state. The pharmacy peer health assistance program is hereby established to alleviate the need for disciplinary proceedings, while at the same time providing safeguards that protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The general assembly further declares that it intends that the board will act to implement the provisions of this article 280.