Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-19.2-1. Purpose

The legislature finds that the practice of pharmacy is a learned profession. The sole legislative purpose for enacting this chapter is to ensure that every pharmacist practicing in the state and every pharmacy meet minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that pharmacists who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this state. The practice of pharmacy has evolved from a product-oriented profession to one that is based on patient outcomes through the provisions of pharmaceutical care. Contemporary pharmacy practice and the roles pharmacists are currently playing exceed the boundaries of traditional statutory definitions. The intent of this chapter is to promote relationships between the pharmacist, patient, and patient's physician for the advancement of patient care. It is not to be construed or perceived as permitting or promoting the practice of pharmacy independent of the physician/patient relationship.