2.2 Pharmacist-in-Charge: Qualifications, Duties, Inventories & Self-Inspection
Key Takeaways
An Oregon PIC needs one year of practice or the Board PIC course (completed before appointment or within 90 days after) and must be employed by the outlet.
Since July 1, 2025, every Oregon PIC must repeat the Board PIC training at least every five years, and may be PIC of no more than three pharmacies (kiosks and lockers excluded).
The PIC completes the Board self-inspection form by July 1 each year and within 15 days of becoming PIC, and keeps it for three years.
Oregon requires a full controlled substance inventory within 15 days of a PIC change and at least every 367 days, plus Schedule II reconciliation every 93 days (retail) or 31 days (institutional).
An Oregon outlet reports a PIC change within 15 days and the termination of a licensee within 10 working days.
Why the PIC is tested so heavily
Every Oregon pharmacy must have one pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) employed on a regular basis at that location. The PIC is responsible for the pharmacy's daily operation (OAR 855-041-1010). NABP's sample items ask who is ultimately responsible for an outlet's compliance, and the answer is the pharmacist manager or PIC. Oregon's rules add specific qualifications, deadlines and inventory duties that make good exam questions.
Who may serve as PIC (OAR 855-115-0205)
To be designated PIC, a pharmacist must:
- Have completed at least one year of pharmacy practice, or complete a Board-provided PIC training course before the appointment or within 90 days after it; and
- Be employed by the outlet.
Effective July 1, 2025, every PIC must also complete the Board-provided PIC training course at least every five years.
A pharmacist may not be PIC of more than three pharmacies. Pharmacy Prescription Kiosks (OAR 855-141) and Pharmacy Prescription Lockers (OAR 855-143) do not count toward that limit.
PIC responsibilities (OAR 855-115-0210)
On top of every ordinary pharmacist duty, the PIC must:
- Be actively engaged in pharmacy activities at the outlet and physically present on a regular basis long enough to ensure compliance.
- Be responsible for the outlet's ongoing conduct, operation, management and control.
- Establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures that comply with state and federal law.
- Maintain complete and accurate records.
- Run a continuous quality improvement program.
- Develop and submit a plan of correction for inspection observations within the time the Board allows.
- Complete the Board's self-inspection form by July 1 each year and within 15 days of becoming PIC. The PIC signs, dates and keeps the form for three years, and must produce it immediately when a compliance officer asks.
- Ensure a controlled substance inventory with discrepancy reconciliation is completed and documented on this schedule:
| Inventory | Oregon deadline |
|---|---|
| All controlled substances (Schedules II–V) | Within 15 days of a change in PIC, and at least every 367 days |
| Schedule II only, retail drug outlet | At least every 93 days |
| Schedule II only, institutional drug outlet | At least every 31 days |
The all-controlled-substance inventory must be taken either before opening or after closing on the inventory date. Federal law requires only a biennial inventory (21 CFR 1304.11), so Oregon's schedule governs. The Board says an on-hand count alone is not a reconciliation. The PIC must account for every discrepancy and document it.
A PIC of an affiliated specialty outlet (kiosk, locker or remote dispensing site) must also meet those divisions' added duties.
Outlet duties tied to the PIC (OAR 855-041-1010)
Each drug outlet pharmacy must:
- Report a change in PIC within 15 days in its electronic licensing record with the Board.
- Report terminating a Board licensee, or allowing one to resign in lieu of termination, within 10 working days. The report must include the licensee's name, license number, the date and the reason.
- Provide a working environment that protects patients. That means adequate staffing to prevent fatigue or distraction, appropriate rest periods and meal breaks, adequate time to complete duties, and enough staff to operate safely. The pharmacist on duty may temporarily suspend services when safe operation is not possible.
OAR 855-041-1170 lets the Board discipline an outlet that fails to provide that environment, or that overrides or obstructs the pharmacist on duty's control of pharmacy practice.
Important
Two deadlines are easy to confuse: 15 days to report a PIC change, and 15 days after becoming PIC to complete both the self-inspection and the full controlled substance inventory. A licensee's own changes of name, email, phone, address or employer are also due within 15 days (OAR 855-104-0010). Terminations are due within 10 working days.
Non-resident pharmacy PICs
A non-resident pharmacy (an out-of-state pharmacy that dispenses, delivers or provides pharmacy services to Oregon) must register with the Board. It must designate an Oregon-licensed PIC who also holds a license in the pharmacy's home state, works at least 20 hours per week at the pharmacy and completes the annual self-inspection by July 1 (OAR 855-041-1060). The pharmacy must have its Oregon-licensed PIC within four months of initial registration. After a PIC change, it must notify the Board within 10 business days, name a contact pharmacist, and appoint a new Oregon-licensed PIC within 90 days or stop serving Oregon.
Exam scenario
A pharmacist becomes PIC of a Salem pharmacy on March 3 after the former PIC resigns. By March 18 (15 days) the outlet must have reported the change, and the new PIC must have completed both the self-inspection form and a complete Schedule II–V inventory with reconciliation. If the new PIC has less than one year of practice, they must complete the Board PIC course by June 1 (90 days after appointment). The next Schedule II reconciliation is due no more than 93 days after the last one, and the next annual self-inspection is due July 1.
A pharmacist licensed for eight months is offered the PIC position at an Oregon retail pharmacy. Which statement is correct under OAR 855-115-0205?
The pharmacist may accept if they complete the Board-provided PIC training course before the appointment or within 90 days after it and are employed by the outlet
The pharmacist cannot serve until they have two years of practice
The pharmacist may serve indefinitely without training because they hold an active license
The pharmacist may serve only as an interim PIC for 30 days
Which controlled substance inventory schedule is required for an Oregon institutional drug outlet pharmacy?
A biennial inventory of all schedules, with no separate Schedule II requirement
All controlled substances at least every 367 days and within 15 days of a PIC change, plus Schedule II reconciliation at least every 31 days
Schedule II every 93 days and all other schedules every two years
A perpetual inventory only, with no periodic physical count
An Oregon pharmacy fires a licensed technician for diverting hydrocodone tablets. Separately from any loss report, what must the outlet report to the Board about the termination?
Nothing; employment decisions are not reported
The termination within 30 calendar days, with the technician's home address
The termination within 10 working days, including the licensee's name, license number, date and reason
The termination at the next annual registration renewal
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.