Healthcare

The Pharmacy Law requires the California State Board of Pharmacy within the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of pharmacy, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies. The Pharmacy Law authorizes the board, during a declared federal, state, or local emergency, to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law or the regulations adopted pursuant to it, if, in the board's opinion, the waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care. Existing law authorizes the board to elect to continue to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law for up to 90 days following the termination of a declared public emergency if, in the board's opinion, the continued waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care. This bill would instead authorize the board to elect to continue to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law for up to 120 days following the termination of a declared emergency.

This measure would designate the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, as Family Physician Week, recognize the invaluable contributions of family physicians to California's health care system, and encourage continued investment in primary care to strengthen the family medicine workforce.

This measure would designate February 28, 2025, as Rare Disease Day and, with respect to rare diseases and disorders, would recognize the importance of improving awareness, encouraging accurate and early diagnosis, and supporting national and global efforts to develop effective treatments, diagnostics, and cures.

Senate Resolution 11 designates January 2025 as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in California. It encourages the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of Health Care Services, and all Californians to promote cervical cancer prevention, screening, and education through activities during that month. The resolution specifically urges efforts to raise awareness about HPV (the leading cause of cervical cancer), the importance of regular screenings, and prevention measures for at-risk communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to support existing public health outreach.