What's New in Pharmacy Law in California?
When Fred Weissman’s son was in pharmacy school in the 90’s, he complained about how boring the law portion of his studies was. This sparked Fred Weissman, who holds both PharmD and JD degrees, to write a book on pharmacy law that was engaging while still covering the important material.
The book, A Guide to California Community Pharmacy Law, was first published in 1997 and has just come out in its eighth edition reflecting recent changes to laws relevant to the practice of pharmacy. Pharmacy students, board exam candidates, practicing community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are the typical audience for the book.
“I try to put law into a narrative language using a Socratic method in the book,” said Weissman. “Each legal point is raised as a question or statement then answered in a concise manner supported by statutes and/or regulations.”
In the state’s pharmacy law text, similar or related laws often appear in different parts of the text making it difficult for the reader to obtain a full view. Weissman’s book organizes similar statutes and regulations in the same section, making it a more accessible to the reader.
Weissman is well versed on getting legal information across to pharmacy students and pharmacists, having taught USC students throughout their pharmacy studies. Among the topics he teaches are legal issues around compounding pharmacy, the role of the Food and Drug Administration, and a semester-long course on statutory and regulatory state laws complemented by a discussion of relevant federal laws.
“The book mirrors some of the material that I teach in my classes and goes beyond to cover material that will be included in the law portion of the Board of Pharmacy licensure exam,” said Weissman. “Further, the book is a resource for practicing pharmacists.”
Weissman’s book is well known to pharmacists and students statewide with students and schools throughout California relying on it as a law education source in preparation for the licensure exam and throughout their careers.
“As with most professions, the law plays an important role,” said Weissman. “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. So, the aim of my book is help students and practicing pharmacists know and understand the laws that govern their profession and to keep up to date on changes.”
Weissman penned an article outlining recent changes in state pharmacy law in the Winter 2013 edition of California Pharmacist, a publication of the California Pharmacists Association. Weissman is an associate professor at the USC School of Pharmacy where he also serves as associate dean for student/faculty affairs and admissions.
