What action can the Commission of Pharmacy take if immediate action is needed to protect public interest?

When immediate action is necessary to safeguard the public interest, one of the most effective and direct actions the Commission of Pharmacy can take is to apply for temporary or permanent injunctions. An injunction is a court order that can compel or restrain an individual or entity from carrying out certain actions. This is particularly crucial in situations where there may be immediate harm to public safety or health, such as the unlawful sale of a dangerous drug or practices that could jeopardize patient care.

Applying for an injunction allows the Commission to address urgent matters without the delay that might accompany the creation of new regulations or the revision of existing laws. It provides a swift legal remedy to halt potentially harmful practices immediately.

In contrast, issuing temporary regulations and revising existing pharmacy laws can be lengthy processes that may not provide the rapid response required in emergencies. Publicly announcing violations, while significant for transparency and education, does not have the immediate legal effect necessary to protect the public from ongoing harm. Thus, applying for injunctions is the most direct and impactful action in urgent situations.