TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OR RESTRICTION OF LICENSE

(a) The president of the board shall appoint a three-member disciplinary panel consisting of board members to determine whether a license under this subtitle should be temporarily suspended or restricted. If a majority of the disciplinary panel determines from evidence or information presented to the panel that the holder of a license by continuation in the practice of pharmacy or in the operation of a pharmacy would constitute a continuing threat to the public welfare, the panel shall temporarily suspend or restrict the license as provided by Subsection (b). (b) The disciplinary panel may temporarily suspend or restrict the license: (1) after a hearing conducted by the panel after the 10th day after the date notice of the hearing is provided to the license holder; or (2) without notice or hearing if, at the time the suspension or restriction is ordered, a hearing before the panel is scheduled to be held not later than the 14th day after the date of the temporary suspension or restriction to determine whether the suspension or restriction should be continued. (c) Not later than the 90th day after the date of the temporary suspension or restriction, the board shall initiate a disciplinary action against the license holder, and a contested case hearing shall be held by the State Office of Administrative Hearings. If the State Office of Administrative Hearings does not hold the hearing in the time required by this subsection, the suspended or restricted license is automatically reinstated. (d) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, the disciplinary panel may hold a meeting by telephone conference call if immediate action is required and convening of the panel at one location is inconvenient for any member of the disciplinary panel.