Fla. Stat. 465.015
Violations and penalties


(1)

It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, maintain, open, establish, conduct, or have charge of, either alone or with another person or persons, a pharmacy:Which is not registered under the provisions of this chapter.In which a person not licensed as a pharmacist in this state or not registered as an intern in this state or in which an intern who is not acting under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed pharmacist fills, compounds, or dispenses any prescription or dispenses medicinal drugs.

(a)

Which is not registered under the provisions of this chapter.

(b)

In which a person not licensed as a pharmacist in this state or not registered as an intern in this state or in which an intern who is not acting under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed pharmacist fills, compounds, or dispenses any prescription or dispenses medicinal drugs.

(2)

It is unlawful for any person:To make a false or fraudulent statement, either for herself or himself or for another person, in any application, affidavit, or statement presented to the board or in any proceeding before the board.To fill, compound, or dispense prescriptions or to dispense medicinal drugs if such person does not hold an active license as a pharmacist in this state, is not registered as an intern in this state, or is an intern not acting under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed pharmacist.To sell or dispense drugs as defined in s. 465.003 without first being furnished with a prescription.To sell samples or complimentary packages of drug products.

(a)

To make a false or fraudulent statement, either for herself or himself or for another person, in any application, affidavit, or statement presented to the board or in any proceeding before the board.

(b)

To fill, compound, or dispense prescriptions or to dispense medicinal drugs if such person does not hold an active license as a pharmacist in this state, is not registered as an intern in this state, or is an intern not acting under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

(c)

To sell or dispense drugs as defined in s. 465.003 without first being furnished with a prescription.

(d)

To sell samples or complimentary packages of drug products.

(3)

It is unlawful for any pharmacist to knowingly fail to report to the sheriff or other chief law enforcement agency of the county where the pharmacy is located within 24 hours after learning of any instance in which a person obtained or attempted to obtain a controlled substance, as defined in s. 893.02, or at the close of business on the next business day, whichever is later, that the pharmacist knew or believed was obtained or attempted to be obtained through fraudulent methods or representations from the pharmacy at which the pharmacist practiced pharmacy. Any pharmacist who knowingly fails to make such a report within 24 hours after learning of the fraud or attempted fraud or at the close of business on the next business day, whichever is later, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A sufficient report of the fraudulent obtaining of controlled substances under this subsection must contain, at a minimum, a copy of the prescription used or presented and a narrative, including all information available to the pharmacist concerning the transaction, such as the name and telephone number of the prescribing physician; the name, description, and any personal identification information pertaining to the person who presented the prescription; and all other material information, such as photographic or video surveillance of the transaction.

(4)(a)

It is unlawful for any person other than a pharmacist licensed under this chapter to use the title “pharmacist” or “druggist” or otherwise lead the public to believe that she or he is engaged in the practice of pharmacy.It is unlawful for any person other than an owner of a pharmacy registered under this chapter to display any sign or to take any other action that would lead the public to believe that such person is engaged in the business of compounding, dispensing, or retailing any medicinal drugs. This paragraph shall not preclude a person not licensed as a pharmacist from owning a pharmacy.It is unlawful for a person, firm, or corporation that is not licensed or registered under this chapter to:
Use in a trade name, sign, letter, or advertisement any term, including “drug,” “pharmacy,” “prescription drugs,” “Rx,” or “apothecary,” which implies that the person, firm, or corporation is licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.
Hold himself or herself out to others as a person, firm, or corporation licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.
It is unlawful for a person who is not registered as a pharmacy technician under this chapter or who is not otherwise exempt from the requirement to register as a pharmacy technician, to perform the functions of a registered pharmacy technician, or hold himself or herself out to others as a person who is registered to perform the functions of a registered pharmacy technician in this state.

(4)(a)

It is unlawful for any person other than a pharmacist licensed under this chapter to use the title “pharmacist” or “druggist” or otherwise lead the public to believe that she or he is engaged in the practice of pharmacy.

(b)

It is unlawful for any person other than an owner of a pharmacy registered under this chapter to display any sign or to take any other action that would lead the public to believe that such person is engaged in the business of compounding, dispensing, or retailing any medicinal drugs. This paragraph shall not preclude a person not licensed as a pharmacist from owning a pharmacy.

(c)

It is unlawful for a person, firm, or corporation that is not licensed or registered under this chapter to:Use in a trade name, sign, letter, or advertisement any term, including “drug,” “pharmacy,” “prescription drugs,” “Rx,” or “apothecary,” which implies that the person, firm, or corporation is licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.Hold himself or herself out to others as a person, firm, or corporation licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.
1. Use in a trade name, sign, letter, or advertisement any term, including “drug,” “pharmacy,” “prescription drugs,” “Rx,” or “apothecary,” which implies that the person, firm, or corporation is licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.
2. Hold himself or herself out to others as a person, firm, or corporation licensed or registered to practice pharmacy in this state.

(d)

It is unlawful for a person who is not registered as a pharmacy technician under this chapter or who is not otherwise exempt from the requirement to register as a pharmacy technician, to perform the functions of a registered pharmacy technician, or hold himself or herself out to others as a person who is registered to perform the functions of a registered pharmacy technician in this state.

(5)

Any person who violates any provision of subsection (1) or subsection (4) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (2) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In any warrant, information, or indictment, it shall not be necessary to negative any exceptions, and the burden of any exception shall be upon the defendant.

Source: Section 465.015 — Violations and penalties, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0465.­015 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

465.001
Short Title
465.002
Legislative findings
465.003
Definitions
465.004
Board of Pharmacy
465.005
Authority to make rules
465.006
Disposition of fees
465.007
Licensure by examination
465.008
Renewal of license
465.009
Continuing professional pharmaceutical education
465.012
Reactivation of license
465.013
Registration of pharmacy interns
465.014
Pharmacy technician
465.015
Violations and penalties
465.016
Disciplinary actions
465.017
Authority to inspect
465.018
Community pharmacies
465.019
Institutional pharmacies
465.022
Pharmacies
465.023
Pharmacy permittee
465.024
Promoting sale of certain drugs prohibited
465.025
Substitution of drugs
465.026
Filling of certain prescriptions
465.027
Exceptions
465.035
Dispensing of medicinal drugs pursuant to facsimile of prescription
465.0075
Licensure by endorsement
465.0125
Consultant pharmacist license
465.0126
Nuclear pharmacist license
465.0155
Standards of practice
465.0156
Registration of nonresident pharmacies
465.0157
International export pharmacy permit
465.0158
Nonresident sterile compounding permit
465.0161
Distribution of medicinal drugs without a permit
465.0181
Community pharmacy permit required to dispense Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substances
465.185
Rebates prohibited
465.186
Pharmacist’s order for medicinal drugs
465.187
Sale of medicinal drugs
465.188
Medicaid audits of pharmacies
465.189
Administration of vaccines and epinephrine autoinjection
465.0193
Nuclear pharmacy permits
465.0196
Special pharmacy permits
465.0197
Internet pharmacy permits
465.0235
Automated pharmacy systems used by long-term care facilities, hospices, or state correctional institutions, or for outpatient dispensing
465.0244
Information disclosure
465.0251
Generic drugs
465.0252
Substitution of interchangeable biosimilar products
465.0255
Expiration date of medicinal drugs
465.0265
Centralized prescription filling
465.0266
Common database
465.0275
Emergency prescription refill
465.0276
Dispensing practitioner
465.1861
Ordering and dispensing HIV infection prevention drugs
465.1865
Collaborative pharmacy practice for chronic health conditions
465.1893
Administration of antipsychotic medication by injection
465.1895
Testing or screening for and treatment of minor, nonchronic health conditions
465.1901
Practice of orthotics and pedorthics
465.1902
Prescription Drug Donation Repository Program

Current through Fall 2025

§ 465.015. Violations & penalties's source at flsenate​.gov