(a) The board may cancel the license of a facility that is licensed by the board if the licensed premises remain closed, as defined in subdivision (e), other than by order of the board. For good cause shown, the board may cancel a license after a shorter period of closure. To cancel a license pursuant to this subdivision, the board shall make a diligent, good faith effort to give notice by personal service on the licensee. If a written objection is not received within 10 days after personal service is made or a diligent, good faith effort to give notice by personal service on the licensee has failed, the board may cancel the license without the necessity of a hearing. If the licensee files a written objection, the board shall file an accusation based on the licensee remaining closed. Proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all the powers granted in that chapter.
(b) If a facility license is canceled pursuant to subdivision (a) or revoked pursuant to this article, or a facility notifies the board of its intent to remain closed or to discontinue business, the licensee shall, within 10 days thereafter, arrange for the transfer of all dangerous drugs and controlled substances or dangerous devices to another licensee authorized to possess the dangerous drugs and controlled substances or dangerous devices. The licensee transferring the dangerous drugs and controlled substances or dangerous devices shall immediately confirm in writing to the board that the transfer has taken place.
(c) If a licensed facility fails to comply with subdivision (b), the board may seek and obtain an order from the superior court in the county in which the facility licensed by the board is located, authorizing the board to enter the facility and inventory and store, transfer, sell, or arrange for the sale of, all dangerous drugs and controlled substances and dangerous devices found in the facility.
(d) If the board sells or arranges for the sale of any dangerous drugs, controlled substances, or dangerous devices pursuant to subdivision (c), the board may retain from the proceeds of the sale an amount equal to the cost to the board of obtaining and enforcing an order issued pursuant to subdivision (c), including the cost of disposing of the dangerous drugs, controlled substances, or dangerous devices. The remaining proceeds, if any, shall be returned to the licensee from whose premises the dangerous drugs or controlled substances or dangerous devices were removed.
(1) The licensee shall be notified of the licensee’s right to the remaining proceeds by personal service or by certified mail, postage prepaid.
(2) If a statute or regulation requires the licensee to file with the board the licensee’s address, and any change of address, the notice required by this subdivision may be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the latest address on file with the board and service of notice in this manner shall be deemed completed on the 10th day after the mailing.
(3) If the licensee is notified as provided in this subdivision, and the licensee fails to contact the board for the remaining proceeds within 30 calendar days after personal service has been made or service by certified mail, postage prepaid, is deemed completed, the remaining proceeds shall be deposited by the board into the Pharmacy Board Contingent Fund. These deposits shall be deemed to have been received pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1500) of Title 10 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure and shall be subject to claim or other disposition as provided in that chapter.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “closed” means not engaged in the ordinary activity for which a license has been issued for at least one day each calendar week during any 120-day period.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a pharmacy to be open seven days a week.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 27. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.)