(a) An inspector may issue an order of correction to a licensee directing the licensee to comply with this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(b) The order of correction shall be in writing and shall describe in detail the nature and facts of the violation, including a reference to the statute or regulations violated.

(c) The order of correction shall inform the licensee that within 30 days of service of the order of correction, the licensee may do either of the following:

(1) Submit a written request for an office conference with the board’s executive officer to contest the order of correction.

(A) Upon a timely request, the executive officer, or his or her designee, shall hold an office conference with the licensee or the licensee’s legal counsel or authorized representative. Unless so authorized by the executive officer, or his or her designee, no individual other than the licensee’s legal counsel or authorized representative may accompany the licensee to the office conference.

(B) Prior to or at the office conference, the licensee may submit to the executive officer declarations and documents pertinent to the subject matter of the order of correction.

(C) The office conference is intended to be an informal proceeding and shall not be subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11370), Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400), and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(D) The executive officer, or his or her designee, may affirm, modify, or withdraw the order of correction. Within 14 calendar days from the date of the office conference, the executive officer, or his or her designee, shall personally serve or send by certified mail to the licensee’s address of record with the board a written decision. This decision shall be deemed the final administrative decision concerning the order of correction.

(E) Judicial review of the decision may be had by filing a petition for a writ of mandate in accordance with the provisions of Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure within 30 days of the date the decision was personally served or sent by certified mail. The judicial review shall extend to the question of whether or not there was a prejudicial abuse of discretion in the issuance of the order of correction.

(2) Comply with the order of correction and submit a written corrective action plan to the inspector documenting compliance. If an office conference is not requested pursuant to this section, compliance with the order of correction shall not constitute an admission of the violation noted in the order of correction.

(d) The order of correction shall be served upon the licensee personally or by certified mail at the licensee’s address of record with the board. If the licensee is served by certified mail, service shall be effective upon deposit in the United States mail.

(e) The licensee shall maintain and have readily available on the pharmacy premises a copy of the order of correction and corrective action plan for at least three years from the date of issuance of the order of correction.

(f) Nothing in this section shall in any way limit the board’s authority or ability to do any of the following:

(1) Issue a citation pursuant to Section 125.9, 148, or 4067 or pursuant to Section 1775, 1775.15, 1777, or 1778 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2) Issue a letter of admonishment pursuant to Section 4315.

(3) Institute disciplinary proceedings pursuant to Article 19 (commencing with Section 4300).

(g) Unless a writ of mandate is filed, a citation issued, a letter of admonishment issued, or a disciplinary proceeding instituted, an order of correction shall not be considered a public record and shall not be disclosed pursuant to a request under the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 539, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2004.)