Mission
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy serves to promote and protect public health, safety and welfare by ensuring high standards in the practice of pharmacy and through effective regulation of the manufacture and distribution of drugs.
Vision
All Oregonians have equitable access to medication and pharmacy services, provided safely and conveniently, through a network of highly skilled and dedicated Pharmacists, Interns and Pharmacy Technicians along with a well-regulated manufacturing and distribution network.
Equity Statement
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within its organization and for the public it serves. This commitment is reflected in board membership, agency staffing, the services provided, and its efforts to promote patient safety and ensure access to quality pharmacy care. Our actions, outlined in our DEIB and Affirmative Action Plans, demonstrate this commitment.
The following principles guide our approach:
- Promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive culture for people of all backgrounds
- Foster an inclusive environment where all current and prospective licensees and registrants receive fair and unbiased service from the agency staff and board
- Advance Diversity and Equity in access through culturally responsive service delivery that addresses the changing climate within the pharmacy profession
- Ensure all patients needing pharmacy services are able to receive safe and timely access to medications, regardless of place of residence, economic or social status, physical ability, ethnicity, or gender identity
Values
These values reflect both how our Board and staff strive to conduct ourselves, and the behaviors we seek to instill across the practice of pharmacy in Oregon.
Equity - Each individual and group are valued, respected, and treated fairly ensuring equal access to medications and support for their unique and diverse requirements.
Service - We deliver a consistent standard of excellence in all work and respond promptly to the needs of patients, Licensees, Registrants, providers and partners.
Safety - We are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. Safety is the foundation of the board's Mission.
Adaptability -
We are open to new ideas and to responding to the changing needs and challenges in the field of healthcare and pharmacy.
Integrity & Accountability - Transparency and honesty govern the board's work. We accept responsibility for our actions, products, decisions, and policies.
Professionalism - We are committed to promoting excellence in pharmacy practice through expertise, commitment, and competence.
About Us
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy was created by the Oregon State Legislature in 1891. Today, the board consists of nine board members; five members are licensed Pharmacists, two are licensed Pharmacy Technicians and two are representatives of the public. The Governor appoints each member of the board for a term of four years, subject to approval by the State Senate, and they may be reappointed.
The Board of Pharmacy office is headquartered in Portland and consists of 24 dedicated agency staff members who, in addition to supporting the board, provide services in Licensing, Compliance, Administrative Services, and Operations.
The Licensing Department is responsible for the processing of license and registration applications and renewals. There are 37 license categories, including Pharmacists, Interns, Pharmacy Technicians, and multiple types of drug outlets including retail, institutional, non-prescription, wholesaler, manufacturer, and others. This team manages over 32,000 active licenses.
The Compliance Department is responsible for investigations and inspections to ensure that Licensees and Registrants meet standards for safe and legal dispensing, distribution, and delivery of drugs. In addition, this team actively responds to inquiries and assists in providing educational outreach. The department relies on close collaboration with various state and federal regulatory agencies to regulate practice, and ensure patient safety, health, and welfare.
The Administrative Services Department is responsible for ensuring the agency is in compliance with State processes of financial management, procurement, information technology, public record requests, agency policy, training, or program coordination, and overall office management.
The Executive Department is responsible for day-to-day agency operations, strategy, personnel management, legislative processes, communications including public outreach, rulemaking, records management, agency staff committee management, affirmative action, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and succession planning.
Oregon Board of Pharmacy